Articles
Shaping a Child's Heart
Genesis 22:7 "And Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, 'My father!' And he said, 'Here I am, my son.' And he said, 'Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"
We continue our look at parenting. I have four children. They are all in their 20's and 30's now. I haven't been inside a Toys R Us in years. My kids grew up going to church three times a week. We went to special gospel meetings. We've always had people in our home for meals and Bible studies. I've taken them with me to help others, to visit hospitals and to funeral homes. They weren't always nice little angels. We had our moments as all families do. Today, they are all Christians and the three who are married, married strong Christians. I am blessed. I talk with my kids often, some of them daily. I am very proud of them. They are busy using their talents and abilities in positive ways and each of them are making an impact in the church they belong to.
Now, it sounds like I'm bragging. I'm not. I am very, very proud of them. They are my greatest achievement in my life's work. I know of many great couples who have heart ache because their grown children have given up on God. Good kids, just no interest. I'm not sure why it is that way? I wish I had the answer. Many of my preaching friends, who are much better people than I am, have prodigals that have yet to come home. I know they blame themselves when they shouldn't. They did everything that they knew was right.
Our passage reminds us of the importance that parents have in shaping the heart of a child spiritually. The text comes from the time Abraham was going to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. He told his servants to wait as he and Isaac went on to worship. The verse shows that Isaac understood a burnt offering was to take place. They had the fire and the wood, but no sacrifice. Isaac understood a lamb was necessary. How did he know that? Why did he not suggest a frog or a leaf? He knew. He knew a lamb was necessary. He knew that a frog wasn't right. He must have seen his father worship before. He must have heard his father talk about God. He knew God didn't require leaves. He knew what God wanted. He respected God.
Our children need to see the same thing. Church services are different than anything else. Now I'm going to get on my soap box about some things. I am old school about some of these things. I believe some of these things make a difference.
• Children should not run in the church building. No. The only exception is if the place is on fire. This isn't play time. This isn't recess or gym classes. Outside is for running. You don't run in school, the mall, inside the house or in God's house. There are too many people that can be knocked over and too many bad things that can happen. No running! The church building is different from school and home. It is God's house. We dress up and we don't act up. That's an early lesson. Put the brakes on the kids.
• I don't like children up in the pulpit area unsupervised. There are too many electronics, buttons and stuff that can be turned, twisted, and pulled that will make the deacons scream when they have to try to fix everything that little hands have touched. The exception to this is when a dad takes his son up there and puts a song book in his hand. He is eaching him. He is showing him what it is like. What an honor it is to serve the people of God. Later, when he is ready, dad will show him how to read Scriptures from the pulpit. Many don't know this lesson. They need to be shown where to stand and how to use a mic and how to speak out. Later, dad can even teach the son how to give a lesson. Those are great moments. Otherwise, kids need to be out of the pulpit area. They love to jump from the platform. It's inviting to them. You must UNINVITE them. This is God's house. This is not the playground.
• Toys and food ought to be limited to babies. Babies can't help it. They get hungry and cry. Babies have a short attention span. Beyond babies, food needs to stay home. Toys-keep them at home. Bring books. Bring paper. Bring crayons. Bring Bible story books. There is a natural transition from books and doodling to Bibles and taking notes. I'm not a fan of electronics. It teaches a young person to ignore what others are doing and play angry birds. Cell phones and tablets are for those who are responsible and mature.
• Our congregation places the songs on the screen. That's helpful, but parents may want to pull the old song book out. My wife did that with our kids. She'd use her finger and later, their finger to follow the words. This taught them words and rhythm and music. They'd pick up on words. They can read this way. Singing is important. Kids ought to sing.
• God's house is special. Teach them that. Teach them to speak to older people. Teach them to pick up what they drop. Teach them to help keep it nice. Sure they'll complain when you make them turn around and pick up the piece of paper that they dropped. But a few times of that and they will not drop the paper on the floor.
• Parents need to watch their children. Those little angels can be little devils at times. I've seen far too many parents engrossed in deep conversation while their kids are running throughout the building doing who knows what. The Lord really blessed Debbie and I. We had four kids. And between us we have four eyeballs. We never took our eyes off of them. We knew where they were and what they were doing. If we lost sight of them, we pardoned our conversation and went on a search and find mission. Keep an eye on your children. That will take care of most of these things.
• The spiritual lessons do not end when you walk out the church building. Sing hymns in the car. Have prayers together at the dinner table. Talk about God. Lead them spiritually. There are always great challenges that come up, but with a spiritual foundation that helps so much. My wife was always the first to say to the kids, "Have you prayed about that?" She still says that to them.
Isaac knew how to worship. Do your kids know?
