The excerpt below was taken with permission from the book Instrindo or Coracao da Crianca, by Tedd and Margy Tripp, Faithful Editor.
Children need instructions to apply the scriptures to topics such as authority, obedience, conflict resolution, and God-designated roles in relationships. Does daily life offer dozens of opportunities to connect the scriptures with life?From losing a school backpack to breaking friendships and bad test scores. Countless possibilities of formation evaporate without us nodding, while we are in the daily race, thinking that the time of devotion with our children is enough. Our reactions to everyday circumstances and crises make our theology real.
- Biblical accounts radiate illustrations of children whose knowledge of the scriptures has resulted in obedience.
- Courage.
- And action.
- David’s words to Saul seemed naive and childish in front of the Philistine army and Goliath’s terrifying threats: “Don’t let anyone’s heart be discouraged because of him; Will your servant go to fight the Philistine?(1 Sat 17.
- 32).
- But David’s spiritual life and experience as a young shepherd resonated with his right to speak.
- David answered Saul.
- Saying.
- Thy servant was shepherding his father’s sheep; When a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock.
- I would go out after him.
- Beat him.
- And deliver the lamb from his mouth; when he rose up against me.
- I grabbed him by the beard.
- Hit him and killed him.
- Your servant killed the lion and the bear; This incircid Philistine will be like one.
- Because it challenged the armies of the living God.
- And David said.
- The Lord delivered me from the clutches of the lion and the bear; Will you get me out of the hands of this Philistine?(1Sm 17:34-37).
David’s courageous speech to Saul and subsequent defiance of Goliath did not spring from the daring of a teenage fantasy. David believed in the power and authority of God. The God who delivered Israel from Egypt was the same God who saved them from the bear and the lion. Her confidence came from the fact that she faced the bear, cried out to the Lord for help, and experienced God’s deliverance. Saul looked at Goliath, who looked beautiful; God and his promises seemed modest to him. David looked at Goliath and the multitude of Philistines, considering in his mind the history of Israel and their dangerous duel. He applied what he believed to be true about God and his promises. Therefore, God appeared to him great before the earthly giant and finished. “You come against me with sword, spear and shield; but I am going against you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of hosts of Israel, whom you have defied. Will the Lord deliver you into my hands today? All this multitude will know that the Lord saves, not with sword or spear; because war is the Lord’s, and will he deliver them into our hands? (1 Sam 17. 45-47).
Being a role model for children is the safest way to teach them to apply God’s truth to the circumstances of life. The fatherhood that shows a vital relationship with God in all the joys and storms of life is irresistible to children and young people. hand, taking the form of mercy, but denying him power?(2 Tim 3:5), is the safest way to harden our children’s hearts in relation to God.
Our homes are the laboratory of our children’s lives. Will you believe that Christianity is authentic if we know God?And not only do we know facts about God. When children become adults in our churches, they desperately seek a faith that possesses the fervor and vitality of an intimate relationship with the living God and the sure support of a healthy doctrine that resists the storms of life. The relationship with God is the guarantee that the God of the Bible can be known to his people in all life experiences. The relationship with God will encourage our children to approach God as their source of comfort and rest.
Strive to develop a mutual relationship of life and work for the kingdom of God, with your children. Christian life is lived in community. Throughout the history of redemption, God’s children have witnessed God’s impressive works and boasted to each other of God’s protection and provision. We must also take into account future generations. When we talk about God’s faithfulness and provision for the physical and spiritual family, should we maintain the same perspective?That we will work together to proclaim the kingdom of Christ until it comes. Joshua said this perspective: “Will my house and I serve the Lord?(Joshua 24:15).
This same theme can be found in the Book of Psalms. Psalms 48. 12-14 tell us: “Cross Zion, surround all this, count the towers; He observes his strengths, observes his palaces, to tell future generations that he is God, our God forever. and forever, will he be our guide to death?
Psalms 78. 3-7 remind us: “What we hear and learn, what our parents told us, we will not cover with their children; We will tell the next generation the praises of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. He established a testimony in Jacob, instituted a law in Israel, and ordered our parents to pass it on to their children, so that the new generation would know them, children who have not yet been born, rise up, and refer to them. their descendants, so that they may place their trust in God and not forget God’s actions, but keep the commandments?