ENGAGING CHILDREN WITH GOD'S WORD
- Kasule Jacob
- Jan 12, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 13, 2023
Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
I have visited quite a number of churches on a Sunday morning and the first thing that welcomes you is the sight of children left to wonder in the compound while worship sessions are going on.
Many of the adult leaders in these churches that I have spoken to often time argued that children are a distraction. We send the kids away to play so that the mature people can concentrate in worshiping God, someone argued. I have often asked them, "you mean the children don't need God ? You mean they can not worship God ?"
The kind of mindset above has led many children, now adults to grow without the fear and love of God in their lives. The Langi have a saying, "you can only straighten a tree when its still young." This is because a tree once grown and bent cannot be made straight again, it only breaks. Unfortunately, we are allowing our children to grow without the knowledge of God with claims that they are a distraction, and when they have become rebellious young adults we begin trying to straighten their character and often time its too late.
The author of Proverbs in the verses above gives us a Principle and words of wisdom on how to handle children.
1. TRAIN UP.
Training is a process and not a one time event. It takes time, discipline, sacrifice and hard work to achieve a good training in any field. The Bible uses this word, train up to indicate the hard work and commitment the parents, teachers and or guardians have to make in preparing the children for their future.
Apostle Paul used the same word in describing the usefulness of the Scripture. He said the Scripture is useful for "training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16-17) so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good works. Again we see from this verse that the level of thorough equipping is determined by the amount of time invested in the training in Scripture.
2. A CHILD.
The Hebrew word used in this passage for child carries a broader meaning and it covers from baby-hood to youth-hood. The idea of the training and the time frame is from when the child as a baby can understand and you just continue through their youthful life. Let us not wait for our children to become young adults and begin training them in the way they should go.
3. IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GO.
This way should be the right way, and whether you believe it or not, there is only one right way to go, the ways of God, which is the way of life. Parents, teachers, guardians and anyone taking care of children must insist upon this way. We must teach God's Word and enforce it with kind, gentle and loving discipline.
The Great Shema encourages parents to diligently teach their children the word of God, and that it should be the integral part of their upbringing (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).
Teaching our children the Word of God is something we should do consistently throughout their upbringing.
4. EVEN WHEN HE IS OLD HE WILL NOT DEPART FROM IT.
It is very true that the disciplines we develop as children manifest itself in our adulthood. How many of you adults and youth can boldly say everything you learnt as a kid was useless and a waste of time? How many of you can in the same manner say you don't remember anything from your childhood ? Am guessing if there are any, then its only a small fraction of people who can make such statements. I can tell you for a fact that i still remember the songs, games and stories we sang,played or were told over 20 years ago.
If the things children get exposed to can impact their lives that way wouldn't it be better and wiser that we allow the Word of God be whats causing Impact in their lives ? If they are able to remember songs and stories told to them decades later, Wouldn't it be better if the songs we are singing to them and the stories being told to them is about their Creator ?
Let us stop neglecting our children and disconnecting them from God and the things of God. Let us remember that everything our children get exposed to at the tender age manifest itself in their later years in life. Point your children to God when they are still you, and teach them how to pray as children.
Blessings to you as you point your children to the right way they should follow.
Kasule Jacob
Founder and C.E.O
Galactic Foundation Ministries
this is good brother! keep up the good work always and more blessings to you