Raising Godly Children: Kids need God

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things” (1 Chronicles 29:11 NLT).

How Kids Think

“What is God really like?” Schools, friends, television, and other sources expose children to a variety of ideas. Some deny the existence of God altogether; others create a spiritual power from various religious ideas and philosophies. Still others see God as a distant Judge who is only wrathful and unkind. Much of what kids hear about “god” does not even resemble the God who reveals Himself in the Bible and in creation.

How God Thinks

God delights to disclose His true identity to all who seek Him. Knowing God personally and enjoying His greatness is the highest privilege of every Christian. God reveals Himself in many ways, but especially through creation and the Word of God. In creation we see the beauty of nature, the intricacies of the human body, and the vastness of the heavens that all point to a mighty Creator (Psalm 19 & 139). The Bible gives us the inspired account of God’s great acts throughout history— each narrative shows His personality and character. God designed people to be most satisfied when they are in relationship with Him. Without a relationship with God, we are like sheep without a shepherd—prone to wander and get lost (1 Peter 2:23-25).

True Story

Janelle, one of the girls in our children’s ministry, asked her group of friends a heart-felt question, “Is God real?” Her enthusiastic friends shared answered prayers and stories they learned from the Bible. I ran to the Lord in prayer—sifting through apologetics and complicated words that initially came to mind, hoping to explain God in 8-year-old language.

As I talked about creation, God, and the Bible, her deeper question came out. “Does He like me?” she asked in a quiet voice. Eyes misting, one loyal friend grabbed her arm and said, “Yes!” We read Psalm 139 as a group and became amazed together that God is both all-powerful and personal. Janelle was so relieved!

Personal Example

Sitting beneath a clear night sky, our natural response is to feel small and insignificant. Looking without instruments, you can actually identify Venus, Mars, the Milky Way, and sharp constellation patterns.

During a night “star watch” hike, with 30 fifth and six graders in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, ten-year-old Mike walked up to me while the rest of the kids peered at the constellations through telescopes. “How come God made that many galaxies – I mean what are they for?” he asked, leaning his head back to gaze at the Milky Way.

Taken aback for a moment, I considered the question. “Well buddy, I think He made all of the stars simply because He can—to show how big and creative He is.” Mike considered this in light of recently learned facts about billions of galaxies unfathomable distances from the earth. “That’s pretty big,” he stated in a quiet voice. “I think I would do the same if I was that powerful, just show off like that,” he asserted confidently. As Mike sidled off to a nearby telescope, I knew that his respect for the Lord grew!

What You Can Do

Your child can learn to marvel at who God is with both awe and intimacy. Practice worshiping our big God – He is the center of our lives. Praise the One who loves us personally!

Explore creation (Colossians 1:15-17). Cultivate curiosity as you learn about nature. Revel at His infinite power and His creativity on the earth.
Respond in worship (Psalm 33). Throughout the Bible, whenever people saw God, their first response was to fall on their knees. Practice praising God for His awesome greatness.
Explore God’s personal names (Genesis 17:1; Isaiah 45:18; Jeremiah 32:27). Thank Jehovah Jireh for His provision, El Shaddai for His power, El Elyon the Most High God, and Jehoveh Raah for shepherding you,
Read through the Psalms (Psalm 138:1-2). Let David’s prayers show you how to respond to God’s power and majesty.

Discipleship Begins With Our Children

Children need meaningful, shared-life relationships. That’s the heart of discipleship. DiscipleLand’s family of Biblical resources forms a complete Children’s Discipleship System™ – an intentional, relational, and transformational process designed to help children know God intimately, love Him passionately, and to serve Him selflessly. Click here for your Free Fall 2013 Catalog