Inspiring Child-Like Faith in Children – and in Me is a never ending story of learning!
In today’s world more than ever we need to be facilitating our children’s childlike faith. Children have the ability to take God at his word and see things through different eyes than adults . Their faith is uncomplicated and they don’t let intellect and reasoning get in the way of their understanding and the truth of God’s word and we can see why the bible talks of it.
As adults we sometimes spend too much time trying to work it out in our own strength rather than simply trusting in God who has the answers. We can truly see why God holds children so dear to his heart and why he says it’s better for a millstone to be round your neck and cast into the sea than to cause a little one to stumble.
The wonderful thing about our creator God is that He can’t be put into a box as a one size fits all, as He is God almighty and we can never fathom or comprehend how things happen as they are totally supernatural and far surpass the human intellect he has blessed us with.
The world is an ever changing place full of things contrary to the word of God so we have been given a divine responsibility to expose children into the things of God at an early age. I believe that this is why the scripture says to train a child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it.
If we show our children Jesus at an early age they are fully able to find Him personally for themselves so that He can continue to change their lives into adulthood. This gift God trusts us with should not be taken lightly .
Children are the future generation of Jesus warriors and let’s be honest they are living in a world far harder than we grew up in, so now more than ever they are going to need to have a strong foundation of faith to stand against what’s coming.
The word of God is alive
Having worked with children so much I know they’re often kinaesthetic learners so it’s vital to bring the word of God to life for them in creative ways where they can almost “live it out” .I truly believe children can encounter God and know the power of God , see miracles and experience the Holy Spirit without reservation.
Our children will be a huge part of the revival that we see happening round the globe even now. It feels like everyone is trying to pull our children in many different ways, telling them who they “should be” or “could be” and most don’t line up with the truth of God’s word therefore it’s our mandate to tell them who Jesus says they are and that truth can set them free!
We need to be the ones with the louder voices contending for our children and their future and the call of God that’s on every individual life . We don’t want children to see the bible as words on a page , we want them to see it as the living and powerful weapon it is. Children are hungry for the things of God, their spirits are open ready to receive him and we get to be a part of that in some way.
Demonstrating the power of God
If we demonstrate to them when they are young the love and power of God it will captivate them so they won’t want to walk away from it when they are older. We cannot afford to wait until we deem them old enough to understand, as at the end of the day we have to realise we are not trying to show them Jesus in an intellectual way we are showing them Jesus who we take with us everyday and show them the reality of that power.
Children have a spirit too and when we find Jesus our spirit man connects with him and we realise we belong and how life has meaning and makes sense in a way it never did before, so before the world tries to teach children all their agendas we need to show them their true identity in Christ.
Bringing the bible to life
This is what led me to start making a range of handmade bible story resources for children. I had worked with children and in lockdown my husband lost his job so as I’ve always loved to craft I decided to start a small venture from home making items for children and that progressed into adding a range of bible story resources.
I love small world play so we began making peg dolls and story spoons. I believe it was a God idea and my passion for it has grown daily since. We want children to love coming to church and find it an exciting place where they can play out the scriptures.
Children generally find sitting still a challenge so if we can allow them to “play” while experiencing Gods word all the better. We have a huge vision for this and although small at the moment we believe it’s from Gods heart, so we are believing for people to get behind the vision for this business . When my son was young he liked me to act out the bible, he wanted to “see it” for himself and so I’ve realised the importance of this for children in learning and the word of God should be no different.
Being a Christian mum in prayer & creativity
My son is now 16 but gave his heart to Jesus completely off his own back at age 4 in a shop car park where he said “Mummy I’ve never asked Jesus into my heart let’s do it now”! A Perfect example of childlike faith. Let’s face it the world are not going to show our children Jesus so we have to.
If we don’t then who will? Although this world is far from easy our children have been born for such a time as this and with that Jesus has planned and equipped them to be victorious for him. When I pray over my son I speak over him that he will be a barrier beaker as this was prophesied over him when he was dedicated and a nation changer and that he won’t turn to the left or right but pursue God with tenacity and determination … this is my prayer for my son but also for the next generation that they will shine so bright that even the darkness cannot overshadow it.
I did a prophetic masterclass last year through an amazing ministry and it was life changing and one of our hub ladies was explaining how God had showed her that we should stop seeing children at their physical age and see them spiritually as they can be more advanced in the spirit than their actual age.
A passion for Jesus
I pray then that our resources start a passion for Jesus, while living out the bible stories and bringing them to life and that those of us who are parents will pick up this baton with valour and determination and realise there is a fight for our children and we need to be their biggest encouragers.
Lets make church a fun, creative space for our children, one that births a hunger to know more. I pray our products do just that and help build childlike Faith!
“This article was originally written by Naomi Young and first published on God For Kids App on 1st March 2020. Republished here with permission.”