Often, we consider the influence of adults on children, but have you recently considered that children are also to be teachers of adults? Today, I would like to specifically address the children in their responsibility to be good teachers.
Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3) Parents/teachers/adults are to observe children and become more like them, according to Jesus. Children, are you teaching the adult world what it means to be a child of the King? I don’t know about you, but I have observed several children over my lifetime, and have concluded that some children much more readily represent the kingdom of heaven.
Over the past weeks, I have become more acquainted with a non-Christian lady that lives nearby. She has visited our home quite a few times. I have noticed that she has been observing my children closely. My children haven’t necessarily been noticing how closely she observes them, but I have been watching. She has observed that we pray when we eat. She has observed that my children don’t even know about some of the pop stars that she talks about. She’s learned that we attend church on the Sabbath. She has told her whole family that my one and a half year old sings “Jesus Loves Me” all day long. She has observed that my children have learned to do dishes and do helpful things around the house. She has children about the same age as my children, who haven’t learned yet to do these helpful chores. She also observes when my children obey immediately and when they delay. She observes when they are kind to each other and when they have arguments. She observes when the speak respectfully or disrespectfully to me or to each other or to her. I have noticed her just watching what my children are doing. What is she thinking? Is she thinking, I want my children to be Christians, like these children? Is she realizing that Christ changes the heart of even children who give their hearts to Him? Or is she thinking that the profession of Christianity in our home is a facade? These are the questions that I have been wondering.
Children, you have an opportunity to teach others about Jesus, that adults don’t have. The only way, however, that you can teach others about how wonderful Jesus is, is if you act like Him. If you reflect the love of Jesus, those who have never known Jesus will look at you and say to themselves, “If Jesus can make this child into such a nice one, then I want Jesus.” So, children, what are you teaching others about Jesus? If you have not chosen Him to come in and change your life, please do so today. You will make a difference on the world perhaps even more profound by being a Christian today, than you will be able to in your adult life.
“A well-ordered Christian household is a powerful argument in favor of the reality of the Christian religion—an argument that the infidel cannot gainsay. All can see that there is an influence at work in the family that affects the children.” (Adventist Home, p. 36)
What kind of teacher are you?
“The disposition and habits of youth will be very likely to be manifested in mature manhood. You may bend a young tree into almost any shape that you choose, and if it remains and grows as you have bent it, it will be a deformed tree, and will ever tell of the injury and abuse received at your hands. You may, after it has had years of growth, try to straighten the tree, but all efforts will prove unavailing. It will ever be a crooked tree.
The Adventist Home Educator 