Series: Advent
John 3:16-21 ESV
It seems like every child who regularly attends church will have to memorize John 3:16 at some point in their life.
As someone who worked in children’s ministry for decades i think that is a great idea. However because of what I know many many decades later I would not have children learn short verse. That isn’t because I think short verses are bad. It’s because many children are far more capable at memorization than adults.
Children have one really good shot at learning scripture and it’s while they are young.
John 3:16:21 is a perfect example.
John 3:16-21 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
While a 1st grader might not comprehend evil and darkness, an older child can comprehend it and John 3:16-21 would give an older child a good understanding of the meaning and importance of understanding people who live in the dark.
As they move into their pivotal teenage years, a young teenager who has been taught the importance of the difference between the light of God and the darkness of evil, they might understand the Importance of the choices they are making.
While I had a dad who personally taught me the difference every child doesn’t have that advantage of understanding the impact of choices they make.
Plus, I’ve noticed that children of today are extremely aware of their surroundings. I don’t think my grandchildren are so very different from their peers. They understand how to watch for danger.
Taking that knowledge a step further by connecting that danger to God’s plan and expectation for mankind would be a natural step.
That step cannot be accomplished in public schools. It needs to be done in the home or in church.
The pivotal verses we need to understand are found in verses 20-21.
Those who do wicked things hate the light because it is the light of Jesus that will expose their bad deeds.
Those who love the light and look to the light rely on God.
The Message translation from John 3:19-21 says, “This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won’t come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is.”
If I was still working hands on with children I would ask the older children to memorized this passage from the Message Translation.
Then, when they encounter evil they would have a greater understanding of the forces at work in the world.
That’s because children are smart.
They would be able to connect the dots between those who seek to live in the light and those who seek to live in the dark.
When I read the Message translation I was reminded of a woman I’ve recently met. I was instantly ‘put off’ by her. I think she knew it and she threatened me. She physically threatened me.
I knew she lives in the dark.
It took a little time but I came to realize I need to pray for her.
I need to pray she will see the light and she will receive the light. I realized I need to ask Jesus to shine His light on her every minute of every day and night. When we realize someone is living in darkness we need to ask God to pursue them continuously.
So…can you imagine how children of the light could change our world if they were taught to pray for every person they knew who was living in darkness?
I think it would be a total game-changer!
Spiritual Practice: Pray
Pray for people you know who are living in darkness. Teach children (older children) to pray for people they know who are living in darkness without Jesus.
In God, Deborah
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