It’s back to school time so, here’s a quick reminder....

Children need to learn more than just math and spelling. They need to learn how to be a Christian too. You may have been born into a family of believers but that doesn’t make you a believer. Being around other Christians helps! We see what they do, we hear what they say(so remember they are watching you). Do your best but if you mess up, show them how to set things right too. If we want our children to become Christians we need to tell them how we became Christians.

Remember the W’s from Sunday school?

Who - was with you (Who if anyone witnessed your moment?)

What - did you do ( Pray?)

Why - did you want to have your sins forgiven?

Where - were you?

When - did it happen? (How old were you?)

It may seem silly, but they won’t know if we don’t tell them. The more we talk about our own faith the more they will think about faith and the more it will stick. Get it “Sticky Faith.” They need so much more than to say their prayers and read a Bible story. They need to hear you tell them what God did for you today, how He was real and has your back everywhere you go . We need to tell them how we struggle with sin, just like them, as a child and as a grown up. Tell them what you do when you sin. How do you get right with God and others? Listen to them tell you about what being a Christian is. We won’t know if they are on the right path unless we ask. It would be like teaching them to add and then never check to see if they got the problems right.

More is caught than taught, little eyes are watching, (even if you don’t have children at home, they are everywhere). Don’t worry, they need to see grown-ups being Disciples, even if you mess up. I know I’ve learned lots from the mistakes I’ve made, and the ones I’ve seen others make. If we want the children in our lives to become Christians, we’re going to have to get up close and personal. Let them see the good and the bad and how we wait for God to show us the way.

The Bible is the greatest book ever written, but just reading it doesn’t make you a Christian. That reminds me of a funny story. When my son was 15 and 1/2, we went to get his driving permit, they gave him a booklet to study. The next day he and I got in the car for his first ever driving lesson. I started to tell him what he was going to need to do, and he being a very smart young man, looked over at me and said...”Mom I read the book, I know how to drive.” In much the same

way we seem think coming to church and reading the Bible is enough to make our children into great Christians. My son is a great driver now and he can fly airplanes, cars, helicopters, you name it, but not just because he read the book, because of hour and hours of practice and hands on training.

I’m praying you won’t just help the children in your daily life learn to spell, but also help them to be fully devoted Disciples of Christ.

Reaching and teach children about Jesus.

Pastor Barb