Hey friends! Today we are continuing our Back to School series. This series is geared towards helping children transition back into school all while bolstering their faith. This gives them courage, love and humility. So, let’s CONTINUE to talk about it! 😉
Last week, I told you about my first big job as a bank teller. One of the things they taught me was how to spot counterfeit money. For some reason, I was fascinated by this! And because I was fascinated, I REALLY studied the different bills and what made them authentic. Because the only way you can spot the fake ones is to know the real ones, right?
Kids need to know the core truths of the Christian faith. When you send your kid to school, they are facing the “real world”. Their faith will be questioned and trials will follow. Will they be like the man who dug down deep and built his house upon a rock? (Luke 6:48) Will they “be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks” them for the reason for their hope? (1 Peter 3:15). Teaching the foundations of faith is based on what and why.
What is the what?
That’s easy! I know we have all heard this before but kids are sponges. Their little brains are ready to soak up knowledge. This is peak time to make sure they KNOW the Bible. They know the truth so they can draw from that knowledge for a lifetime. We can help them store up God’s word in their hearts, so they’ll be equipped to fight temptation when it comes (Psalm 119:20). By giving them the what, it’s an investment in your child’s life…entire life. They will encounter false gospels and false gods no matter how hard you try to protect them. So, you have to arm them.
What is the why?
You can teach your kids what we believe all day and they may or may not retain it. But, if you give them the why behind it it shows our faith has substance. There’s two ways you can teach the why: digging deeper in the faith with your child or allowing your child to ask questions. Personally, I have taught both ways but I prefer the second option and I’ll tell you why. When children learn the what and think about it and turn it into a question, then you know they are genuinely thinking about what is being said. Also, it challenges me! I don’t always know the answer and again, I’m ok with that. I LIKE letting them know that I don’t know the answer and we look for the answer together.
When a child asks a why question that sounds like they are questioning the faith, it’s ok. A questioning faith is a stronger one. How you respond to the question (not the question itself) will dictate a lot of their feelings towards faith. You know, when you teach the why it’s ok to elaborate on why people leave and reject Jesus. It’s ok to expose false narratives that are being taught. It’s ok to admit to them if you have ever had doubts or struggles. Curiosity will come. And, if they’ve never seen it before, it might be bright and shiny, even as it leads to death (Proverbs 16:25).
I think sometimes, we are scared of questions. We think if we can’t answer questions, that’s a reflection on our faith. And you have even been around a child for 5 minutes, sometimes they can ask hard questions because they usually have no filter. As adults, you need to remember that God has provided us with a family within our homes and within His church that can help with questions if needed. That’s why we are all here. Questions shouldn’t be looked at as a sign of their faith unraveling. Reassuring them it shows a deeper confidence in God as they ask for answers.
Love you all and see you next week,
Jennifer
