Helping Children to “LiveIT”


by Sue Harmon Associate Director, Childhood Ministry Group


email Sue Harmon sueharmon@scbaptist.org M


OST CHILDREN NATURALLY POSSESS “BIG FAITH.” When they are told that God can do anything, children believe it! The caution and cynicism of adulthood have not yet overshadowed their God-given characteristics of openness, compassion, straightforward simplicity, and trust.


A child’s trust in God and experience of life as a part of His kingdom is, of course, influenced by


those around him. As a child grows, his spiritual development will be shaped primarily in the home by parents, media, and other influences, and only secondarily in the church. A church that recognizes this will minister to children by equipping and supporting parents to “bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord,” a task specifically assigned to fathers in Ephesians 6:4. How can parents help their children to live the Great Commission? By demonstrating— showing


through their actions, words, and attitudes—what it is to be a fully-devoted follower of Christ them- selves. Children will absorb the priorities and values that they see their parents live out in the routines of everyday life. Intentional teaching has merit and is not to be neglected, but what is ‘taught’ is never as strong as what is ‘caught.’ Children will learn to be disciples as they “live it” alongside their parents and other family members.


As parents read the Bible, pray, serve others, and talk to others about Christ, they are showing their chil- dren how to be a disciple. Parents should include children in these everyday aspects of following Christ. They should also be intentional in talking with their children about how they are living out their faith, as instructed in Deuteronomy 6:7: “Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” As parents disciple their children through their own living example and teaching and as churches


support and equip parents, children will grow to know Christ and to follow His commands and His commission—to “Live It!”


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