Five Things I Want My Children to Know About God

     Wouldn't it be marvelous if we had a magic pill to give our kids to insure they'd always make the right choices?
     We think we'd like them to absorb all of our experiences together with all our knowledge and go on from there. But as a study of history reveals, nearly everyone seems to start at square one and learn for himself.
     Square one?
     If you had it to do over again,what would you list as essentials to impart to your children? What can you teach your grandchildren, your Sunday school class, or the children you babysit?

     1. I would want them to know there is a God who created them and the world in which we live. He is knowable and communicates with those who seek Him. I would want them to know God loves them very much and made them to have a relationship with Him. His love for them is the same yesterday, today, and forever. It doesn't change because of what they do or think. God is dependable, trustworthy and good, and they can learn about Him in the Bible.
     I would teach them to talk to God by letting them hear me talk to Him in prayer. Because God wants them to know and depend on Him, I would help them thank God daily for food, clothes, shelter, and family. I would teach them to ask God for wisdom when they don't know what to do, and for help to do what they must. I would rejoice with them when our prayers are answered.
     God is knowable. (Revelation 3:20)

     2. I would want them to know God never tempts them to do wrong. Satan does, and though God will not allow them to be tempted more than what they can handle, (I Corinthians 10:13), He expects them to stay away from certain situations and to run from others. He expects them to take a stand for what they know is right.
     The Old Testament is filled with stories of people's responses to temptation, and tells the consequences for both good choices and bad. Examples are

     Achan, when he was tempted to steal
     Elijah, when he was tempted to quit
     Balaam, when he was tempted to earn wealth and fame the wrong way
     Joseph, when he was tempted sexually by Pharaoh's wife
     Cain, when he was tempted by jealousy to kill his own brother

     I would teach these stories to my children so they can recall them later when they are tempted in similar ways.
     God never tempts us to do wrong. (James 1:13)

     3 .I would want my children to know how to be forgiven. No one leads a perfect life, and God knows when we sin. When anyone wants to be forgiven, he needs only to come to God and tell Him, what he has done. The Bible says God will hear his prayer, forgive him and make him clean again.
     God is willing to forgive our sins. (I John 1:9)

     4. I would want my children to know how to discover God's will for their lives. Since there is no substitute for a thorough knowledge of God's word in order to know what God wants us to do, I would see that my child attended Sunday school every Sunday. As a family we'd go to a church camp where we'd have fun together and talk about what we'd learned.
     I'd present local opportunities to put God's word into practice. We could choose a child to help at Christmas, donate clothes, books, and toys to the poor, feed and give blankets to the homeless. Each activity would connect to Jesus' commands concerning those less fortunate than we.
     As the children got older, I'd encourage them to know where to find what God says in the Bible about friendships (Psalm 1), God faithfulness (I Corinthians 1:9), their thought lives (Philippines 4:4-6) and who to marry (II Corinthians 6:14-16). I would encourage them to ask for wisdom (James 1:5) and to rely on His promise to lead them (Proverbs 3:5-6 and Isaiah 30:21). I would want them to know God has all the answers, and He doesn't play games with  us - He wants us to know the answers, too.
     God has a purpose for each life. (Jeremiah 29:11)

     5. I would want them to be assured of God's continual presence with them. Just as I would never disown one of my children, so God will never disown those who belong to Him. (Romans 8:38-39). As a loving Father He may discipline them or He may make them wait for His answers, but He always works for their good, not for their detriment or deprivation.
     God never deserts us. (Hebrews 13:5)

     Although I can't give my children or my grandchildren a magic pill to insure their wise and mature decisions, I can provide these five keys to help them open the door of faith. In my Bible I have written my children's names beside I Thessalonians 2:19-20. "For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy."
Insightfully yours,
Paulita