Promoting Godliness with our Children
One of the great privileges of parents is to see their children grow in the knowledge of the Lord and His work. There is nothing more awesome than for your sons and daughters to develop a desire for God. They want to hear more, see more, and do more. Over the last few weeks, I have become intimately aware of this satisfying reality.
Perhaps I first became cognizant of what was happening during a Sunday lunch. As my family sat around the table, we discussed our day at church, and before I knew it, Hayes (my four-year-old) began to tell me about Adam and Eve. Although I do not recall the story verbatim, I do remember the gist of it:
God made Adam. Then God made Eve out of Adam's rib. They sinned. They hid from God. God kicked them our of the garden, and he put angels there to keep them out.
After hearing him recount the biblical event, I asked him where he learned it. He simply said, "Ms. Cindy told me that!" Then I realized that Cindy Bergstrom had taught him the Genesis account during Extended Session.
Some weeks later, I was overwhelmed again when I hear Abigail trying to recite the books of the New Testament. When I inquired why she was learning them, I was told that the first grade Sunday School teachers (Phil and Mary Stagg, Jenny Blair, and Debbie Williams) were encouraging their students to learn the books of the Bible. Her mother and I began practicing them with her, and within just a few days, she had memorized them.
And just over Christmas break, I realized how "Baptist" my children may be. Hayes was again the major culprit in this discovery. While at his grandmother's house, he found Rhett (His one-year-old brother) playing with the telephone. Instantly, he cried out, "Rhett's calling China!" (He had heard us ask Rhett if he was calling China when we came across him in similar circumstances.) His grandmother responded, "Who does Rhett know in China?" Without missing a beat, Hayes answered, "Lottie Moon!" After finding amusement in his declaration, I recognized that through various venues he had heard about missions and God's task around the world. (No wonder he has told me that he wants to be a golfing missionary when he grows up.)
Why do I relate these instances to you? Because I want to thank you all. God is building a great children and youth ministry at FBCZ, and I am grateful that my family can benefit from it. I praise the Lord for Bro. Stanley and Bro. Shad's leadership, and I am appreciative of all of our volunteer leadership. Through so many different areas, you are teaching my children about Christ and His work. THANK YOU!
Now I know the church is not the only place our children should hear about the Lord. You are only partners with us in the spiritual nurturing of our children. Thus, Leslie and I commit to fulfill one aspect of our responsibility by reading through the Scripture this year with our children. Ordinarily, Leslie will read the selections from Psalms and Proverbs in the morning, and then I will read the other passages to the family at night. Through our home efforts and the church's efforts, may we grow our children "in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52).
Commit yourself to promoting godliness in your home, and take advantage of the great resources the Lord has given you here at the church. Let's make a difference in our children's lives, and let's demonstrate our gratitude to those who help us!