A ROCKY ROAD

A Rocky RoadNIGEL WINDER | Children & Families Consultant, SUNZ

Helping Children Journey with God

Have you ever been on a long road trip, where everyone in the car just wants to get to the destination? Bottoms are numb, tempers are flaring. There are tears because someone elbowed someone ‘accidentally’ or just looked at their sibling at the wrong moment. And the mere mention of car sickness sets off a chain reaction. In those situations, we resort to all sorts of tactics to jolly our passengers along: bribery, impromptu karaoke, ‘I spy’, naming the car brands, sleeping lion competitions, banning toilet stops and, occasionally, just praying for mercy. It can be a rocky road. It is hard to convince the backseat drivers who are encouraging you to drive faster—at the speed of light if possible—that the journey is as important as the destination. It is the journey that makes us. At times, in children’s ministry and with our own children, it may be tempting to wish away the journey through childhood and hope for them to arrive immediately at their destination as problem-free, mature and faith-filled adults. However, that doesn’t happen and we have to settle in for the long ride through the here-andnow, enjoying the faith journey with them and encouraging growth along the way.

Just like our car trip, a child’s faith journey might be full of challenges, stops, messes to clean up, doubts and even failures. Faith-living can be a rocky road. Are there any special tricks and strategies to help our children on their journey with God? Old Testament stories of children and young people can give us some clues. Joseph, Daniel and Samuel are three such examples. These young men all responded to God’s calling on their lives, surviving the tricky and rocky journey of childhood and adolescence to fulfil God’s purpose and plan. Joseph became the prime minister of Egypt, Daniel a wise advisor to kings, and Samuel a revered prophet of God. Joseph’s faith journey was challenged by jealousy, betrayal, deceit and being forgotten, but he never forgot his roots. Daniel lost his family, was carted off to a foreign all-conquering country and was put through assimilation indoctrination, yet was able to unswervingly hold to his childhood faith and identity in God. Samuel was given away by his mother and surrounded by poor role models and fellow countrymen who turned their backs on God. Despite that, he became God’s mouthpiece to a floundering nation. These young men learned to live in their different worlds, respecting those placed in authority over them, while holding onto their integrity, values and faith. They resolved to obey God no matter the consequences. The Spirit of God was clearly on them. What things might we surmise helped these three young men thrive in their faith journeys? • They knew the history and stories of their God. • Someone instilled in them, from a very young age, a desire to know God. • Others around them encouraged them to hear from God and stand up for God. • They expected God would do what He promised.

How can we help build these things into our journey with our children?

Start the journey young

Teaching our children about God from a very young age creates a solid foundation for their faith to survive the rocky road of life. When parents and children’s workers consistently tell them about a God who loves them unconditionally and who has a plan for their lives, our children will desire to know Him for themselves. When we teach them to pray, read the scriptures and take the time to listen to God, we will be building their expectation that they will hear from God. And God is faithful.

Talk about the scenery

Acknowledge God’s work as you travel together. When children observe prayers answered and God’s promises fulfilled, they will believe that God remains in control despite the circumstances they might find themselves in. If they are surrounded by others who love God and celebrate His work in their daily lives, they are so much more likely to want to obey Him despite the cost. When they experience the empowering and transforming work of the Holy Spirit in their lives they will put on the armour of God and live out the fruit of the Spirit.

Plan activities along the road

When our children are given opportunities to put their faith into action, use their gifts to serve others, make mistakes and grow through the opportunities we provide them, their journey will be rich and rewarding and the destination will take care of itself.