Children

Children

Three year old Kory loved playing with her imaginary lion. She would carry it around in her hand offering it to others to hold or pet. She was very happy when anyone would play with her pretend friend. Just as those watching smiled at Kory’s happiness, so God is interested in you. He loves you with a Father’s love. Let’s see what the Bible says about children.

Whose children are we? “…We are the children of God” (Romans 8:16 KJV).

What kind of example was Jesus in His childhood? “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52 NKJV). This is a special verse that tells us that not only did Jesus grow physically in stature and mentally by education, but He grew spiritually in His relationship with His heavenly Father, and He grew socially in good relationships with His peers and adults as well.

How does God treat children? “As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:13 NKJV).  Pity means feeling sorrow for someone’s distress or problems.

Does God love and care about children, or just about adults?  “…unless you are converted, and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3, 4 NKJV).

Does God really want children near Him? “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14 NKJV).  “And He took them up in his arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them” (Mark 10:16 KJV).

Does Jesus expect others to love children? “Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them.  And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, Whoever receives one of these little children in My name, receives Me…” (Mark 9:36, 37 NKJV)  

Children should be received with love as though we are receiving Christ.

When should we learn about God? “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth…” (Ecclesiastes 12:1 NKJV). “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 KJV). Many things we learn as children, we will remember for all of our lives. So it is important for children to learn about God when they are young.

Does God want the children to be saved? “…It is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish” (Matthew 18:14 KJV).

How old should a child be before he/she comes to church? “Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her… and brought him to the house of the LORD in Shiloh. And the child was young” (1 Samuel 1:24 NKJV).  Before a young child is old enough to feed himself, he should be coming to church.
 
Is it important that children learn what the Bible teaches while they are young? Yes! The Bible says, “You have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15 NLT).

Are children’s actions important? “Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right” (Proverbs 20:11 NLT).

Is it important to obey our parents? The Bible says, “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:20 KJV). “Honor your father and your mother…” (Exodus 20:12 NKJV).   “My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother” (Proverbs 1:8 NKJ).

When is it right for me to obey my parents? “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right” (Ephesians 6:1 KJV).

Are parents supposed to discipline their children? Check it out in the Bible. “Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them” (Proverbs 13:24 NLT).

Will there be children in heaven? “And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof” (Zechariah 8:5 KJV).

Jesus loves and cares about children. He wants to share His home with them forever. Don’t you want to be His child today?