Question 1

What did Jesus think of children?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 18:2-6Jesus called a little child to him. . . . Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.”Entering heaven and greatness in heaven are keyed to childlikeness (which is not “childishness”). To be childlike is to experience simply joy and wonder, to trust that God wants what is best for you, and to be excited about all that God has promised. Jesus thought childhood extremely important to attach such significance to it.Mark 10:16Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.Jesus wanted to make it clear that children are special in his eyes. He blessed them as if they were his own. If Jesus had such a high regard for all children, shouldn’t we also have a high regard for them?

Question 2

What kind of relationship does God want parents and children to have?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 20:12“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”Proverbs 22:6Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.Ephesians 6:1-4Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. . . . Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.Parents are God’s shepherds for their children, commissioned to guide them, nurture them, care for them, clothe them, feed them, and help them come to know the Lord. No parents are perfect and no parents will do everything right, but they should attempt to be godly parents and do their best. Children, in turn, are to obey their parents and honor them.

Question 3

What childlike characteristics should an adult retain?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 18:3-4“I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.”Mark 10:14-15[Jesus] said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”Luke 10:21At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.”Like children, we must cultivate simple faith and humility before the Lord.

Question 4

How can I most effectively teach my child about God and his ways?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 10:2“I’ve also done it so you can tell your children and grandchildren about how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and about the signs I displayed among them—and so you will know that I am the Lord.”Deuteronomy 11:18-19“So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.”Joshua 24:15“As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”As a parent, you have the remarkable privilege of living out what you want your children to learn (role modeling), sharing God’s truth that you want them to hear (precepts), guiding them in which way to go (choices), and then watching with joy as your work continues to future generations. The best way to teach your children God’s ways is to continually and intentionally live them out yourself.Exodus 13:8-9“On the seventh day you must explain to your children, ‘I am celebrating what the Lord did for me when I left Egypt.’ This annual festival will be a visible sign to you, like a mark branded on your hand or your forehead. Let it remind you always to recite this teaching of the Lord: ‘With a strong hand, the Lord rescued you from Egypt.’Storytelling is an age-old method instituted by God, proven by people of all generations, and always accepted by children. Tell them the stories in the Bible; tell them stories of faith across the centuries; tell them your family stories of faith.

Question 5

My grown children are straying from the faith I taught them. What can I do?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 22:6Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.This is a proverb—not a promise—but it is a wise proverb indeed. If you raised your children on the right path and taught them about faith, then trust that those lessons are still in their hearts. It may take them some time to make their faith their own.Luke 15:20-21“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’”Jesus told the parable of the prodigal son, illustrating that sometimes people need to hit rock bottom before they can see up and out. Pray that your children see their need for God and return to him, whatever it takes.Luke 15:4-7“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”Luke 19:10“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”Jesus has not given up on your child, even if your child seems to have given up on him. He came to seek and save those who are lost. Don’t lose hope, and don’t cease to pray for your children.

Question 6

How do I learn to trust God with my child?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.Isaiah 26:3You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!Trusting our children to Him is an act of faith—believing that His love, wisdom, and plan for them are greater than our own.Jeremiah 29:11-13“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”Hebrews 12:10-11For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.Trusting God with our children means surrendering our plans and fears, believing His wisdom and love go far beyond our own. As we seek Him, He promises to guide their steps and secure their future with hope.Psalm 103:13The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.Isaiah 40:11He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.Psalm 139:13-14You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.God has been intricately involved in our child’s life since before birth. He created every detail with care and purpose, which gives us confidence that their lives are in His hands. Trusting God with our children means remembering they are first His workmanship—crafted by Him, loved by Him, and held by Him.Psalm 127:3Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.