#3 TEACHING OUR CHILDREN that Jesus is God’s Son

About the third Christmas season of a child’s life, parents can begin to teach a child that God sent His Son into this world as a baby—Matthew 1:18-2:12; Luke 2:1-40. Although Jesus was not born necessarily at the Christmas time of the year, Christmas is a good time to talk about Jesus’ birth because of the many decorations the child can see. Children learn by repetition. So, you may wish to read or tell the story of Jesus’ birth at other times during the year than the Christmas season. This will present an opportunity to gently tell the child that we don’t know the time of the year when Jesus was born. But what is important is that he was born. This might be a good time to remind the child that he or she was born as a baby just like Jesus.

Suggested points to emphasize to the child are: Jesus was not born in a palace to rich parents as might have been expected. As He grew, He obeyed his parents and grew up like children grow up today—Luke 2:51.

As the child grows, emphasis can be placed on the fact that Jesus used His power to help people by miraculously healing the sick, Mark 6:53-56. Also, Jesus loved children and was outgoing in expressing His love for them, Mark 10:13-15. Both of these attributes are those expected of God’s Son. The fact that He did these miracles is one of the proofs that He was God’s Son.

As the child ages, a parent can discuss with him or her that over 300 prophecies in the Old Testament were fulfilled by Jesus, and how these fulfillments also prove He was God’s Son.

When the child understands the difference between right and wrong, the concept of forgiveness can be first illustrated by you, the parent, and then, as the child matures, by God giving His Son for the sins of the world, John 3:16. This presents the opportunity to make this very personal and help the child apply this to himself. Only a loving God would give His Son for our sins.

To older children a parent can emphasize that, although Jesus was crucified, He arose on the third day and appeared to many, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, another solid proof of divinity. This is a hard concept to grasp and the child might have many questions. It would be good to discuss this in simple terms when the child is small and then add details as the child matures.

When the child is little, the parent can point out that obeying Jesus means not lying, not stealing, and being kind. As the child grows the parent can add other good aspect: teaching by example, telling others about Jesus, and not discriminating.

At some time, the parent should tell the child that Jesus as God’s Son has gone back to heaven to prepare a home in heaven for all those who obey His word, the Bible, John 14:1-3. This will help the child begin to want to be obedient to Jesus and go to heaven.

Jesus began as a baby and grew up to be a mighty teacher and miracle worker.

Passages that can be cited and read to the child during the daily Bible reading time:

John 3:16; John 14-3; Mark 6:13-15; Luke 2:51; Matthew1:18-2:12; Luke 2:1-40; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8. (Each family is encouraged to have a daily Bible reading or story time.)

 

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