Series: Renewal
Philippians 4:8 ESV
Having taught children’s Sunday School and Children’s Sermons in Worship gives one a unique perspective on life. In many ways, a school teacher might say the same thing, but maybe from a different perspective.
When children come to church I’ve noticed they have a tendency to speak “truth” in class. That could be because in a Sunday School we often have some unstructured time where they can interact with their teacher and with the other children.
In Children’s Sunday School I didn’t pass out work when the children came into class and expect the children to sit down and begin studying when they entered the room. We had a chance to speak openly with each other and interact freely. We were not there to accomplish academic tasks. We were in Sunday School to get to know each other and to talk about God.
During Children’s Sermons, children were sometimes given an opportunity to speak freely about their thoughts. I preferred doing interactive Children’s Sermons that engaged the children in the sermon.
While it wasn’t always the case, often children tended to speak freely about the subject or scripture we were focused on that day.
I smile as I write this because I remember children being completely honest, completely open, and even completely loving when they spoke about God.
I noticed that when given the opportunity, children tend to be completely truthful.
They don’t really “sugar coat” the truth.
Philippians 4:8 tells us, “ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.“
When I was reminded about Paul’s words and I prayed about what God has for us that relates to this scripture, I immediately thought about the children I’ve encountered through several decades in church.
Their unwavering truth makes me smile.
Because children, especially younger children have not yet learned to choose their words wisely, they simply choose the words they know.
Their hearts are not yet fully trained to openly choose some words and omit other words. While not everyone would agree, I found that young children in Sunday School honor their basic instincts when their parents are not present to correct them.
If a child’s basic instinct leans toward making friends and being happy, they freely pursue playing and having fun.
On the other hand, if a child is introverted, they tend to look for ways to engage in play by building a structure. They may interact with one other student who also likes to build things.
In other words, children that are encouraged to “play to their strengths” naturally gravitate to spend time doing what they enjoy doing.
They honor their inclinations.
In many cases, young children who are innocent have a strong sense of fair play unless they have been taught to behave in a different manner.
When a child has been encouraged to look for the good and the positive attributes of others, their feelings toward others are pure. There have been times when children have not been taught to share and care, but oftentimes when that is modeled in church, they catch on pretty quickly.
Children who have been loved, love.
I do tend to be an extreme optimist but looking back I remember children I knew who deserve praise.
Children love being told they are good, and smart, and are loved by God.
I don’t remember one child ever telling me God doesn’t love them. Every child beamed when they said, “Jesus loves me!”
They embraced that love.
They believed.
They loudly and proudly sang out, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is Strong! YES! Jesus loves me, YES Jesus loves me! YES Jesus loves me…the Bible tells me so.”
I’ve often wondered why adults stopped singing that song, because we believe what we ‘speak’.
If adults really believe (and there are many who do) that Jesus really really really loves them, they just might pray more and fret less.
…understand that’s just a theory I tend to have.
Psychologists may disagree because the human condition is ever so complex, but as a Theologian I am ever so hopeful that a child still exists and shines brightly in every adult.
I hope that as adults deep down we still embrace truth and honor, we model justice and purity, we love and we look for the good in ourselves and in others. Hope emerges from Jesus’ love.
Spiritual Practice: Hope
Take stock. Where do you stand? Let the love of Jesus embrace you today.
In God, Deborah
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