GOD IS NEAR TO CHILDREN........Let your children experience Him

KNOWING AND SERVING GOD EARLY

Introduction

This is going to be a synopsis of what parents should share with their children, especially their young adults to help them understand God and amend their ways early in life.

1. Speaking the right words

The words we speak have amazing power to either build the children up in the Lord or separate them from the goodness of God.  Parents should speak the right language and avoid foul languages. They should speak languages that building up someone in need.  

Parents should stop gossiping and spreading unconfirmed rumours.  Words that give grace to the hearer and encourage good conduct are the word Believers should speak always.

2. Love for God 

The creator, loving and merciful. Is God what you make Him to be? Or is He the righteous, powerful and loving Creator found in the Bible?  God's ways are truth and straight forward.  With Him, all things are possible for man.  Have faith in Him and obey His words to be on His side.

Explain the Trinity to them. God the Father, the Son and God the Holy Spirit. God can be said to function in three distinct ways.  God the Father is the Father, God the Son is our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and God the Spirit is the Spirit of God.  The three God is One.

What they should remember about God

1. God is good

2. God is faithful and just. He can do anything.

3. God is a God of justice, all His ways are perfect

4. God is holy, and just

5. God always keeps His promises.

6. God gives us rules that we must obey.

7. God disciplines us because He loves us.

God is close to them

• For God’s nearness to become real to children, help them understand that

• God promises to always be with them (Hebrews 13:5)

• Jesus came to earth, died and rose again to bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18)

• God gives believers a helper called the Holy Spirit (John 14:16,26)

Who is Jesus? 

The Son of the Living God, who created everything that was created.  Jesus came to die for the sins of man and to reconcile men back to God.  Through salvation, man is also restored into a position of dominion that God created him to be in the first instance.

Grace came to us through Jesus Christ, who is the only way to God. To withstand this pressure, your children need a good understanding of who Jesus is and why He is the only Way to God.

For them to put their faith in Jesus, they need to realize they have sinned and come short of the glory of God.  They were born in iniquity, and they need to repent of known sin and receive Christ into their heart as Lord and Saviour.

3. Honor Your Parents

One way you can serve God in your youth with your behaviour is by honouring your parents. This means, No talking back or arguing, No disobeying their rules, and even no rolling your eyes when you think their back is turned.

Show your appreciation for everything they do for you.  Children, obey your parents in the Lord because this is right. Honour your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.”

Faith

Trusting in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.”

You serve God in your youth by trusting God in all situations- the good and the bad. Maybe even more importantly, you can have faith by submitting your will to God’s. God knows and wants what’s best for you.

Purity of heart

Purity is almost like gold today because of the high level of corruption in the world.  Parents should explain what purity means and how to live in purity.  Purity starts from the heart and manifests in outward behaviours over time.

Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.”  A life of purity honour the Lord because the person is no longer under the control of his or her flesh.  

This means giving up the desires of our flesh (whether it be lust, greed, etc.) and pursuing God’s will instead. It’s about waking up each morning and deciding you’re going to live for God despite everything you have going on. 

Love your Neighbours

This one can be difficult, especially when dealing with difficult people or when they are difficult people, who are not kind. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 tells us exactly how to love others. We can love others by being kind, patient, not envying or boasting. 

We can love others by not boasting or dishonouring them.  By not putting ourselves above others, or getting angry at others.  You can serve God by serving others; do something kind for someone without expecting anything in return. I encourage you to refer back to this passage of scripture whenever you struggle with loving others. Even better – serve God by sharing Jesus with others!

Respect for People

Parents should teach and demonstrate respect for others for their children to learn.  Parents should have respect for the teachers of their children and not speak wrong words about them, no matter what the teacher did.

Another way to teach respect for others is showing them love, irrespective of their status in life.  Show love and respect to all men, rich and poor.  Children should be told not to gossip or speak rudely about people they don’t like. Listen to and obey those who have authority over you (i.e. teachers, principals, bus drivers, etc.).

Parents should:

Fathers and mothers should take responsibility for the proper upbringing of their children.  They should lead their children to the Lord early in life, guide and teach them how to pray, fast and love the Lord.  

Parents should also show them examples of faith in God, holy and righteous living as well as how to work and trust God in all thing. They should: 

1. Avoid giving your child everything he asks. He'll grow up thinking he has the right to get everything he wants.

2. Avoid laughing when your child pronounces insulting words. He'll grow up thinking that disrespect is entertainment.

3. Avoid being insensitive to the bad behaviours of your children, instead, parents should promptly scold them when they do the wrong things, so they will not grow up thinking they can do anything.

4.  Parents should stop defending their children when they are wrong.  Avoid fixing their poor behaviours.  Tell them to fix some of the problems they create, so they can learn to be responsible for their actions. 

5. Avoid giving your children all the money they ask for, so they will not grow up thinking that money is easy to get and whatever catches his fancy should be bought for him or her.

6. Teach them to speak the truth always, as lairs will go to hell fire.  Be a truthful parent and speak the truth when your children have issues with neighbours etc.

7. Avoid leaving them at home when you are in the Church, or when there is a prayer meeting or night.  Take them along.  Let them know that God takes first place in their lives.

FIRE...