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Make God Real to Your Kids
It's easier than you think, says child-friendly educator Karyn Henley.
Interview by Ron R. Lee

Topics:	Character, Children, Christlikeness, Family, Mentoring, Teaching
Filters:	Children's ministry, Children's pastor, Christian education, Family ministry, Nursery, Sunday school, Volunteer
References:	None
Date Added:	August 09, 2006

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We all want to make God's love and care real to our kids, but it can be a challenge. We sit Jimmy down to hear a Bible lesson only to find that he's more interested in poking his brother and tipping his chair back on two legs—before falling over. Even when no stitches are required, it's frustrating.

Many of us feel we're not doing that great a job at the most important task facing Christian parents. But before you don sackcloth and ashes, consider the hands-on approach advocated by child-education specialist Karyn Henley.

"Kids can learn from the direct teaching approach," she says, "but they really learn better in other ways."

How can we make our children's spiritual development a more natural part of family life?

We often think of family devotions as everyone sitting down together to read the Bible and pray. But with young children, family devotions don't have to involve reading anything. Children 5 and under learn best by moving around and touching things. So if your kids are preschool age, do something active for family devotions. (See "Devotions Preschoolers Will Love" at right.)

Devotions Preschoolers Will Love

Karyn Henley encourages parents to weave lessons about God into routine events. Here are ways to do that.

Supply spiritual nourishment at breakfast. "While you're making pancakes," she says, "tell your kids: 'This pancake is round like the sun, and I know a story where God made the sun stand still' (Joshua 10:12-15). Then tell that story while you're making pancakes. You can even pull the edges of the pancake out to make rays coming off the sun. You're translating a biblical story for your children, but you're making it active."

Take a pretend trip. "Spread a blue plastic tablecloth out on the floor," Karyn suggests, "and tell a story dealing with water—like Noah and the ark. Using the full length of the tablecloth, outline the shape of the ark with masking tape or with blocks. Have your kids bring their stuffed animals to put on the 'ark' while you tell the story of Noah and the great flood."

Spend time on the floor. "Pretend you're in a meadow. Count out 99 cotton balls and pretend they're sheep. Tell your kids the last sheep is lost. Have them close their eyes while you hide the 100th 'sheep.' After your kids find it, tell about the shepherd who went in search of his lost sheep (Matthew 18:10-14; Luke 15:1-7)."

—Ron R. Lee

What else works with young children?

Talking is a natural way to connect. You don't have to talk about Jesus every moment, but you should be modeling Christian values. You do that in the daily routines of family life—washing clothes or cleaning up spills. When you serve your family, you are modeling part of what it means to have a Christ like character.

But do kids realize that when Mom cleans up a mess, she's demonstrating a Christlike spirit?

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