Guidance for the Little Ones

 "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

"But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."" Matthew 19: 14

"Ahaziah was forty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Athaliah the granddaughter of Omri. He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother advised him to do wickedly. Therefore he did evil in the sight of the Lord..." II Chronicles 22:2-4a

These are just a few of the many verse I could have quoted when discussing the different mentions of children in the Bible. Children are innocent, vulnerable, inquisitive people. It is our duty as parents, and as Christians, to guide them on a path that seeks God first. 

Many people are influenced, to some degree, by their parents, extended family, and their church family. Certain traditions are carried on, specific patterns of thought tend to repeat generation after generation, and respect or reverence are shown to particular groups of people. (I am by no means saying that these are the only influences in our lives, nor am I saying that one hundred percent of all people are influenced by their parents, etc.) There can be good or bad in the things that are passed along the family lines. 

God is clear in His instructions to us about children though. He wants us to train our children in the way they should go - that is in His ways. Jesus makes it even clearer by saying to let the children come to Him. We should be teaching the children to seek God, to worship and praise Him, and to follow in His ways, sharing His good news with the world. 

In my journey through the Bible this year, I have come across many examples of good and bad leaders over God's children and the world. Ahaziah was taught by his mother to do evil, to follow the ways of the world, not the ways of our One true God. Conversely, Josiah's mother (Jedidah) must have trained him up in the way he should go. You can read more about Josiah in II Kings 22-23 and in II Chronicles 34-35. He became king at eight years old! After the previous two kings chose to do evil in the sight of the Lord, Josiah actively sought God when he was sixteen, and when he was twenty he started purging the evil idols and false altars from the land. 

This world has many loud people shouting about kids making their own choices. They condemn anyone who disciplines their children. The world is full of evil because sin opened the door for evil to enter. The world is full of corruption and false prophets trying to twist the teachings of the church, and the Word of God, to trick us into doing what is wrong even if we have good intentions. 

This is why it is not only essential that we obey God's Word about training our children in the way they should go, but also we must constantly and continually study the Bible. The only way the Bible can be used against us is if we do not know it better than our enemy. 

What about when life overwhelms you? What about when you feel inadequate to do the job you've been called to do? Fret not, my precious friends! Seek God! Pray constantly, consistently, and genuinely! He does not expect you to do this alone, for truly we can only do all things through Him! Pray for your young ones too - ultimately they are God's children in our care for a short time. Let's guide them HOME!