Parenting Simply

By Anabel Gillham

Jesus taught in simple ways. He used rocks, birds, a fig tree, and a candle under a basket to name just a few. I believe Jesus knew His listeners would be more apt to hear and understand what He was trying to communicate to them if He told simple stories. Let's follow His example.

Now before you think, "This is for parents and I'm not in that category." No. This is for children and we are admonished to become like little children. Have you ever doubted your salvation? Do you know for sure that you are totally forgiven? Read on.

World system research tells us that a child's foundation for living is formed during the first five years of his life. Of course, we know that Jesus can build a new foundation for life when a person is fifteen, thirty, or eighty, but accepting the "world-system" research, those first few years are very important. These are the years when we need to put forth a lot of effort to pass on to our children what we know about Christ. It is so foolish to say, "I'm going to wait and let my child make up his own mind about his faith." Do you take that tactic with veggies, spiders, highways, and snakes? No. You know about the world, so you plan training sessions for that miniature human who sits on your lap and thinks you are the smartest person in the whole world.

Let's look at simple ways to indelibly impress on your children some of our most precious truths as you "train up your child in the way that he should go."

 

Assurance of salvation

When your child makes a decision to "ask Jesus to come into his heart" get a window envelope. Let him paste his picture and write his name on the outside of that envelope. Then talk with him about the time when he made this decision. "What did you do then?" "Well, I asked Jesus to come into my heart." At that point have him put a picture of Jesus inside his envelope. Place the picture where Jesus can be seen through the window looking out. Then, have him seal the envelope! Done! Finished! It can't be undone! Let him punch a hole in the corner of this envelope and hang it in his room from his light fixture where he can see it all the time. Tell him to thank Jesus for coming into his heart every time he looks at the envelope. There isn't an age limit is there? Your teen-age son going to college needs this constant reminder. Do you? (He might balk at hanging it from his light fixture!)

Think of other ways to impress on your child the decision he has made. He is going to be confronted continually with this decision as he faces his world. Am I a Christian? He must be able to say with great confidence, "Yes! I am!"

You can teach another marvelous truth with a window envelope. Have your child paste a picture of Jesus on the envelope and print "Jesus" on the outside. Now have him put his own picture inside. Seal it! He is IN Jesus. What security! Nestled inside! There is freedom from fear! And you can teach him about some of the wonderful gifts that God has given him now that he is IN Christ Jesus.

Kids love "dog" stories and we have some great stories with Biblical principles that would be difficult to grasp without the dog in the story. There's Patrick who was lost, Friend who was rejected and abused, and frightened little Chub. Patrick teaches how deeply God loves you; Friend plants in your heart God's acceptance; and Chub gives advice on dealing with fear. Your child will remember these simple stories and tell them to his own children some day.

God's Forgiveness

Do you know—really KNOW—that you are totally forgiven? How can you explain this vital truth to your child in a simple way so that he (and you) will understand? Get a clear glass and have several small rocks in a pile by the glass. Have your child write his name on a sticky label and put it on the glass. This glass represents your child. Now, talk with him and let him recall things that he has done that were wrong, unkind, deceitful, disobedient, etc. (There should be no shock, guilt, or condemnation from you as he does this.) Have him drop a rock in the glass for each offense—minor and major offenses. He may drop a rock in and not tell you what it represents. That's okay.

Show him what happens when Jesus comes into his heart by filling the glass with water (Jesus). What DOES happen? Jesus takes all the rocks out of our life (forgiveness)! Let him take out all the rocks with a pair of tongs. "Now what is the glass filled with?" "Just Jesus." Go further (and maybe you need to do this, too). Later in his life the child does something wrong—drop in a rock. Ask, "Do we want that rock in there?" "No!" Thank Jesus for having taken care of that "rock" and take it out. (We do not continually ask for forgiveness. We acknowledge that the "rock" is there and thank Him for His total forgiveness that became ours at salvation.) Major on "Do we want that rock in our life?" That's what Paul was bemoaning in Romans 7:15-16!

Do you ever wonder about the shepherds that were in the field watching over their flocks that night when the angels came? Was there one soldier who refused to follow Herod's orders to kill all the baby boys? Would you like to meet the innkeeper and his wife? We have a small ebook of Bible stories entitled Night of Miracles that center around Christmas but can be used for daily devotions throughout the year. Read the story to your child and then show him where it is found in the Bible.

You have probably already seen that these suggestions are not marked: "For children only." Many times our pride keeps us from becoming as a little child—eager, open, sorry, hurting, and desperate—running to Jesus for help. Think about it.

May the Lord give you insight, wisdom, and unfathomable love for your children as you "train them in the way He yearns for them to go."