“…and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32 ESV
The seeking
One day, our toddler was rummaging through my bag to find a snack. While emptying the bag she actually held a snack in hand, but did not realise that it was a snack; because it wasn’t one she was familiar with. So, she continued with her search.
Parental responsibility
It’s like what most of us parents do; we buy bibles for our children and take them to church every Sunday. However, we are too busy to spend time introducing them to God’s word, and guiding them into building a relationship with God.
Today’s scripture talks about the truth, Jesus is the truth (John 14:6). It is not the responsibility of the church to introduce our children to the bible and God. It is our responsibility as parents, their first teachers, to do so. If we are diligent and intentional about training our children, then as they grow they’ll learn to recognise the truth, pursue it, value it, and stick it (Proverbs 22:6).
What next?
Next time we’re having a conversation with our children, we need to check whether they know the truth we feel we’ve made accessible to them. Do they know what the bible is? Do they understand why the family assembles with other believers on Sundays or during mid-week services?
We must ensure that our children are introduced to True Christianity. This is a relationship with Jesus, rather than a religion guided by laws or doctrines. This way wherever our children go, they will be confident in what they know and have.
Prayer Points
1. Thank you God for the precious gift of your heritage that you’ve given to me to nurture (Psalm 127:3)
2. Holy Spirit guide, teach, and instruct me on how to fulfil my role of leading my children to the Truth (Psalm 32:8)
3. Holy Spirit help my children to see and embrace the truth of your word