There is a little boy who is becoming more of a regular in my class on Lord’s Day morning.  He is in 2nd grade, a very typical little boy.  At various times in the class he will say, “That don’t make no sense…”  I go back and ask him, “What doesn’t make sense…..?”   ……. he tells me and I explain.  Recently he tested my knowledge to see what I knew.  He couldn’t throw me on any question, but children can catch you off guard.  He is inquisitive, full of life, and very precocious.  I never know what he will ask.  Children don’t mind saying exactly what is on their mind, and he certainly doesn’t.

That morning our lesson came from John chapter 15.  We discussed the vine and the branches, and pruning.  He wanted to know what pruning was, so I explained the process, ending with the tree producing more fruit.  He informed me quickly he didn’t care for fruit!  I explained the fruit was in a spiritual sense and not actual fruit.  Kids….  They are so much fun!  Wonderful teaching moments if you listen.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:  against such there is not law.”   Galatians 5:22-23

Children learn, and learn quickly.  I believe we don’t give children enough credit to learn valuable lessons regarding the Lord’s church.  When we finish the curriculum, I turn to the five acts of worship and have them explain to me what they are and where we find them in Scripture.  I ask about the steps to becoming a Christian and have them explain to me what each step is. They are learning quickly what those steps are, and where to find those Scriptures.  Children as young as this little boy are able to learn those Biblical Truths if the teaching is done consistently.  I do understand we have to teach on their level of understanding, but when we are consistent, and repeat each week those Truths, they learn.

“Consistency, thou art a jewel.”      ~ Shakespeare

“Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.”     Proverbs 20:11

Consistency in our daily Bible study and prayer is very important.  Children watch and imitate what they see and hear, and when they see their parents place God first in their lives, and pray with and for their children, those children become more secure in the knowledge they are loved, and cared for.  It gives them confidence in life.  There is so much the world is clamoring to offer them.  It is up to parents to see their children are nurtured in His Word on a consistent basis.  Children start school earlier than ever.  They are the future of the Lord’s church.  They will see all that you value in life.  Make sure that time with them counts, for eternity is sure!

“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them;   And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”   II Timothy 3:14-15

“Titles don’t make leaders.  Actions do.”

Children and others watch to see if our words and deeds match, and the power to persuade people is through consistency.  When you are consistent you become credible.

“To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; to be credible we must be truthful.”        ~ Edward R. Murrow

Eileen Light