Volumne 15 Number 2
November/December 1998
Cheshvan/Kislev/Tevet 5759
Dor L'Dor: Teaching Our
Kids About G-d.
By Liz Kasdan, Shabbat School Director
There are five essential concepts that are basic to our faith as believers.
We often recognize them as adults, yet we might forget that these concepts
need to be taught to our children. In addition, these are concepts that
also have to be “caught” to be taught. These should be part of our family
life and also part of the essence of truth that we discuss with children
as we teach them the marvelous lessons that are contained in God’s word.
As we fulfill the mitzvah of teaching our kids about G-d, we should consider
the following principles:
- “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). As you read the Scriptures
with your child, you might ask him how the people in the story showed
their love for God. Did they fail to love or trust God? Is there a thought
in the story that helps them to love God? As we look to ourselves as
significant people within the lives of children, we need to ask if we
are teaching the love of God by showing love, tenderness and mercy.
Are we helping our child learn to read the Bible? Are we teaching him
to pray? Are we teaching the meaning of faith and trust? We are called
to show that the life of a believer is to be centered around a love
for the things of G-d.
- “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). In your Bible reading
time, ask your child to identify what is going on between the people
in the story. Is there respect and love for others? What attitudes do
they recognize and are they good ones? Is there a different way that
the people in the story could have reacted? We need to ask ourselves
if we are helping our child to learn to understand and empathize with
the feelings of others. Are we teaching our child not to be selfish
or demanding? Are we helping the child learn how to share? Children
can and must learn early in life what it means to show the love of G-d
to the people around them.
- “Teach me to do your will; for you are my God” (Psalm 143:10). From
the Bible, ask what do we learn about the will of God in the reading.
Does the reading remind us of something that God wants us to do? How
do we know about what is pleasing to God? Are we helping the child to
learn to obey his parents, as preparation for later obedience to God?
Are we teaching an appreciation for the dual aspects of God’s nature;
love and justice? Are we teaching that there are many forms of authority
outside of himself to which he must submit? Are we teaching the meaning
of sin and its inevitable consequences? The world can be a confusing
place for anyone. How vital it is for our kids to see how G-d desires
for them to walk in a certain path for their own good. The sands of
the world are ever shifting; the Word of G-d abides forever.
- “Fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of
man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Does the Bible story remind the child of
a commandment that God wants him to follow? Are we teaching the child
to respect the commandments of God by teaching truthfulness and honesty?
Are we modeling that the Sabbath is holy, set apart for God, by our
own Messianic lifestyle? Are we helping the child to develop a personal
conscience of his own?
- “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things
there is no law” (Galatians 5:22,23). We need to introduce the child
to the work of the Holy Spirit and help him to recognize the fruit that
is evidence of His work. We can ask what fruit that they can see that
is evident in the story. We can ask the child what fruit the Lord is
wanting in his life. We need to help the child develop his fruit. We
should teach them to give a portion of their allowance as a tithe to
the Lord. We need to help the child to learn to control his impulses.
We need to teach the value of work and of carrying out responsibilities.
We need to teach the difference between self-worth and egotistical pride.
Even these few points of focus can seem to be quite a daunting task as we
teach our kids about G-d. Our Heavenly Father certainly knows that there
is no such thing as a perfect parent. But hopefully our kids are seeing
something of the Father’s qualities in our lives and values as we teach
them from the Scripture. Add to all this the importance of Jewish identity
for Messianic Jewish kids. What a blessing to have a Messianic synagogue
where can learn about G-d and the Messiah, and grow in their rich Jewish
heritage as well! By the way, it is a great time of year to grow in our
Messianic faith as we start some new classes for both adults and our kids
(check the KA calendar). May Messianic parents find nachas (great joy)
as we see our kids grow up with a sincere and personal relationship with
their Heavenly Father and His Son, Yeshua.
©1999 Kehilat Ariel Messianic Synagogue. All rights reserved.
URL:http://www.kehilatariel.org/11_12_98.html
Last Modified May 10, 1999
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