Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation. Joel 1:3
Knowledge of God began when Moses wrote the first books of the Bible and parents taught the knowledge therein to their children. For thousands of years parents taught their next generations what they had learned about God. I am afraid that we do not tell our children much about God today. Few of us take the time to do so. We are just too busy.
What is it that we should tell our children? All Christians know the answer to that. We are to tell our children from a very early age the good news that Jesus loves them. That he came to earth to save sinners. Then we tell them what sin is. We tell them the gospel and we keep on telling them for as long as they will listen so that it becomes firm enough in their minds and hearts for them to tell their children.
Unlike former generations, our children now have the written Word of God. So we not only tell our children the gospel, we make sure they read the gospel. We give them Bibles and we take them to Sunday School. We read the Bible and other Christian books to them and with them.
Finally, we show them the gospel. We show them by our own actions. We let them see, and hopefully be involved in, telling the gospel to others. There are many ways of doing this, but my husband and I did so by letting our children live as missionary kids. They saw what our life was about and were a part of it.
Not all children have the privilege of being raised in Africa or in any poverty-stricken country. But your children, or other children you know, need to see how you show the gospel to others.
There are plenty of ways to do this – in your home, in church, in school, in the multitude of charities that are available.
The very best charity that is telling, and reading and showing the gospel is the Rafiki Foundation (www.rafikifoundation.org). Rafiki has built villages in ten African countries and makes sure that every orphan, every school child, every teacher, every staff member not only hears the gospel, but studies the Bible and sees it worked out every day. That is so they can teach the next generation of Africans. You might want to help Rafiki with this.
How are all of us telling, reading, and showing our children, our grandchildren, our great-grandchildren, and other children the gospel of Jesus Christ so they can tell their next generation?
Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteMy grandchildren have the opportunities to help with regional Rafiki projects. So far 1 has been able to serve as a MM in Kenya.
We also sit around my table and discuss belief and verses that defend that belief.
And of course, Mike and I pray that our children and grandchildren will live what they know.
Vivian, you are an inspiration to me and so many. Your grandchildren are blessed to have you.
DeleteIn my first year of teaching in BSF, with only one child still at home, I learned a valuable lesson. By my serving, she was learning that she was also participating with me in something wonderful for the Lord by willingly and cheerfully “sacrificing” some of her time to help at home, taking more responsibility for her schoolwork, and wanting to serve in church mission work. After my TL days were over, I loved being one of the first CL’s in our class for infants and toddlers, then as CS in a new evening class. The Lord has continued to open opportunities for me with children in church and the community -a double blessing since my grandchildren are across the country from me! As an adult, our daughter once remarked she was so glad she came from a “serving“ family-her father, brother, mother, and herself, a teacher. BeIng able to help support missionaries and sponsor our Rafiki child brings us such joy! Knowing God’s word never returns to Him void is continual motivation for me in living and teaching our faith!
ReplyDeleteCarol, you have taught so many the Word of God -- adults and children. Your reward will be great in heaven. God honors those who honor him.
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