Teaching God’s Word to Children is Giving them Everything They Need

Joanna Nicolas-Na serves in the Publications Department of OMF Literature. She has written several children’s activity books like Bible ABC Coloring Book. and Bible People: Old Testament The books are illustrated by her husband Nixon Na and is published by Hiyas, the children’s book imprint of OMF Literature.

I gazed at my two young sons winding down to go to sleep; their bulk occupying most of the bed. They both have grown so much and I have grown old. I know, one day, I will pass away, my husband will pass away. The children will be on their own. How will they manage when we’re gone?

The future that my children will grow into scares me. This fallen world is hard—punch hard. My children, like all other children, will face many situations that will test and tempt them. They will ask, or be asked, questions that have conflicting answers, each answer seemingly true. The jabs could knock them down.

That night, dreading the dangers of the days to come, I called each son by name. “You know,” I told them, “Papa and Mama won’t always be with you…. But Jesus is with you and He loves you and is taking care of you. Hold on to Jesus. Whatever happens, never let go. Always pray. Always read the Bible. When you’re confused, the Bible will tell you what to do.”

The responsibilities that parents bear are heavy—earning and feeding, caring for sick bodies and clearing mess, doing a thousand more tasks that give birth to a thousand more. But even more weighty is the responsibility of raising children who are anchored in God’s Word. How can parents do this? It’s not easy. Parents are fallen creatures too. But the beauty of redemption is that even fallen creatures can be light bearers and messengers of the divine. The light and the message of the Bible that we parents share with our children will guide and arm them for the rest of their lives. Consider the assurance that these passages give —

When our children are lost in the darkness, God’s Word will be their lamp—

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path (Psalm 119:105, NIV).

When our children are pulled by conflicting views, God’s Word will give them wisdom—

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:6, NIV).

When our children feel they’re standing on sinking sand, God’s Word will be their solid ground—

So then, anyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock (Matthew 7:24,GNT).

When our children lose what they have, God’s Word is their eternal possession—

Yes, grass withers and flowers fade, but the word of our God endures forever (Isaiah 40:8, GNT).

When our children’s motives are misguided, God’s Word will convict them—

The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart (Hebrews 4:12, GNT).

When our children’s spirits are famished, God’s Word will be their sustenance—

But Jesus answered, “The scripture says, ‘Human beings cannot live on bread alone, but need every word that God speaks’” (Matthew 4:4, GNT).

When our children’s troubles seem to never cease, God’s Word will give them hope—

Everything written in the Scriptures was written to teach us, in order that we might have hope through the patience and encouragement which the Scriptures give us (Romans 15:4).

May these verses encourage us and help us in our parenting to truly live out the Living Word.