Foundations of faith
What are the foundations of faith?
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” Matthew 19:14.
What a remarkable invitation! Jesus wants children to “come” and, in so doing, discover what it means to “belong.” There are no conditions – no hoops they have to jump through. Jesus didn’t say, “Attend catechism classes, then come to me.” Nor did He say, “Repent of your sin, then come to me.” He just said, “… come to me … come, and belong …”
Jesus wants to spend time with your children! Share on XThe foundation of faith is Jesus’ steadfast love for children. His love is more than parental affection. He loves children just as they are – warts and all! Children are precious to Him; if they want to come to Him, He wants to spend time with them. Isn’t that brilliant? Jesus wants to spend time with your children!
A guide to bringing children to Jesus
Start young.
Note the phrase “little children.” When should we prioritize bringing children to Jesus? When they’re little. We should bring children to Jesus from when they’re tiny, from the time they’re in their mother’s womb.
The foundations of faith are established at conception. Here’s what we know: Babies in the womb can hear and process what they hear at 30 weeks of gestational age. They also learn to recognize words and listen to music; at birth, they can demonstrate what they’ve heard. Maybe you’re skeptical? Remember that John the Baptist leaped for joy when he first met Jesus when they were both in their mother’s wombs (Luke 1:41)!
Don’t delay in bringing your children to Jesus. Little children can’t get to Jesus by themselves. They need help. The parents mentioned in the Matthew 19 text were most likely carrying or leading their children by the hand. If the parents hadn’t helped them, the children wouldn’t have been able to come to Jesus.
The early stages of childhood are the most vital in our development. By four years of age, the most essential skills for life, like talking, walking, reasoning, eating, and dressing, are established. Theorists suggest that children have 50% of their adult intelligence by four years, increasing to 80% by eight. Their intelligence surpasses their knowledge, yet most children make major life decisions, including spiritual decisions, between 8 and 12. Little wonder that 60% of Christian adults worldwide came to faith in Christ before 12 years!
Most children make major life decisions, including spiritual decisions, between 8 and 12. Share on XEvery year counts. God’s equipped children to begin the quest for Him at an early age. We should read the Scriptures, sing choruses, and pray with babies when they’re in the womb. We should increasingly do this after they’re born. Newborns should be taken to church services and told the stories of Jesus while they’re nursing. Memorizing Scripture can begin with toddlers from 2-3 years. We can sing worship songs and praise the Lord with rhythmic dancing with children aged 3 to 4 years.
Bringing little children to Jesus is imperative. Why does Jesus say, “Let the little children come to me”? Maybe because the most crucial part of life’s journey is the start. Author and teacher Catherine Stonehouse says, “To not be concerned about spiritual formation during childhood is to ignore the very foundations of the spiritual life.” So, make every effort to bring your children to Him in their formative years (0-8 years).
Don’t hinder them.
Now note the phrase “do not hinder them.” You are the most significant help or hindrance to your children coming to Christ. Your values and actions will either draw your children to Jesus or drive them away. Be attentive and watchful over your ways. If you have a vibrant spirit-filled faith, your children will more than likely develop a vibrant spirit-filled faith. If Jesus is first and foremost in your life, your children will probably want Jesus first and foremost in their lives. The American Civil War preacher Henry Ward Beecher said, “The mother’s heart is the child’s classroom.” Is your faith everything it should be? If it’s not, you may hinder your children from coming to Jesus.
Watch who you are – your children will be like you! Share on XNineteenth-century Anglican Bishop J. C. Ryle said, “Children are very quick observers; very quick in seeing through some kinds of hypocrisy, very quick in finding out what you really think and feel, very quick in adopting all your ways and opinions.” So, watch what you say, do, believe, and value because your children listen, imitate, follow, and learn from you. Watch who you are – your children will be like you!
Be intentional.
How do we bring children to Jesus today? We can’t Zoom, WhatsApp, text, or book an appointment to visit Him. Jesus lived on earth more than 2,000 years ago. Seeing Him in the flesh (short of a dream/vision, epiphany miracle, or His return) is out of the question.
Bringing children to Jesus isn’t easy, but it is possible. Here are four biblical things you can do to help children meet Jesus:
- Reach the heart. The Lord says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” Jeremiah 29:13. The best way to bring your children to Jesus is to let them see you pursuing Him with all your heart. When you and your children want Jesus more than anything, He reveals Himself to you (Hebrews 11:6c).
- Reject the world. Friendship with the world is enmity with God (1 John 2:15). The apostle Paul says, “… without holiness no one will see the Lord” Hebrews 12:14. When you give your love, allegiance, and devotion totally to Jesus and not to the world, your children will emulate your example and, in so doing, will get to see Him.
- Relate to people in need. Connecting with the poor, unnoticed, disadvantaged, underprivileged, discriminated against, or disregarded people is another way to connect with Jesus (Matthew 25:35-40). Involve your children in feeding the hungry, providing a room for the homeless, or visiting the sick, and you’ll provide opportunities for them to do it to Him.
- Receive God’s Word. Jesus is the theme of the Bible from beginning to end. His identity, nature and role are revealed in the Scriptures. Concerning Jesus, the apostle says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” John 1:1. To bring children to Jesus, you must regularly read, reflect, remember and respond to God’s Word together.
Bringing children to Jesus. If you’re not doing this, your parenting is ultimately meaningless!
Consider how you can partner with God in your parenting. What’s one step you can take today?
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Raising Children of Faith: The Significance of Child Dedication
Summary
The foundations of faith begin early in a child’s life. Through biblical parenting principles like prayer, Scripture reading, and spiritual formation, parents can guide their children to Jesus. Don’t delay; the early years are crucial. Discover how to raise faith-filled children and bring children to Jesus effectively. How to build a foundation of faith for children, Biblical guidance for raising kids, Spiritual growth for young children, Tips for Christian parenting, Teaching children about Jesus.
© Scripture Union, 2024
One Response
Good teaching. I need more notes.
Thanks