This morning I read the Hebrews 12 passage to my children. I gave them some hot apple cider, so they weren’t in a hurry to finish breakfast like they often are. While they sipped their drinks, we had an encouraging talk.
I asked them first who God disciplines— people he loves, or people he hates. Bethel was sure that God didn’t discipline people he loves. David wasn’t sure. I asked them if they like it when Mom or Dad disciplines them. Of course, they both said No! Then I reread the part about despising God’s discipline. They understood it.
Then I asked them why they shouldn’t hate God’s discipline. I told them God’s Word gives us two reasons. First, because it shows us that we are a part of God’s family. Second, because it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness. Since we’ve talked before about repentance, I brought that up.
David responded, “That’s hard” when I reviewed the definition about repentance. Joy filled my heart, because I rarely hear volunteered information like this from him. Hurray! Yes, it’s more than hard. It is impossible to change our own hearts and do right. I explained that the Holy Spirit is a gift from God to those who have accepted God’s gift of salvation. It was a really good opportunity to talk about the Gospel.
They hadn’t even finished their cider!
communicating with children this way sounds like such a great time in parenting. I feel so eager to share with my daughter in this way already. your Bible studies with your children are such an investment. Do you all pray during this time as well?
I pray for breakfast, but I don’t normally pray after these talks (which usually happen while the children are eating). I understand that eagerness! I am just now getting excited to see Bethel comprehending more, but I don’t want to forget that my youngest is capable of understanding basic spiritual truths as well.