Theology for 8 yr. olds
January 27, 2010 by Pastor Jeremiah
Tuesday night has become guys night at the Siers house. Deborah and my daughters Addie and Gwyn vacate the premises along with my youngest son, Judah, who is not quite old enough to reach man status. For the next hour and a half, Josiah and I talk about life man to man. For those of you who are parents with multiple children, the most effective “parenting time” that you could ever spend with your kids is one on one time. It's amazing how your kids will open up if they know that you are solely focused on them.
Last Tuesday night, Josiah and I talked theology. This is actually his favorite subject! It turns out two of his best friends at school are Muslim and Buddhist respectively. His question on this night was one for the ages. "Dad, what if my friends were taught to believe a different religion? Is that their fault? What will God say to them when he comes back?" Wow, after hearing incredible questions like that from an eight year old, I wanted to hear his opinion first. “What do you think?” I asked Josiah. As simple as his answer was, it was right on the money. “I'm not sure” he said.
I did my best to explain it in a way he could understand. I told him no one knows for certain who goes to heaven or hell. That is something for God to decide. However, human beings do need a savior and Jesus is the only way that I know of that God has provided for our salvation. “So,” he asked, “are other religions wrong?” At this point, I'm thinking, “where does this kid come up with these questions?” I explained to him something that most people in our world don't seem to understand. All the religions of the world are different and they can't all be right. It's up to us as human beings to ask God to show us what the truth is, then to look into it. “Why are you a Christian dad?” Josiah asked. “I'm a Christian,” I said, “because it makes sense intellectually, I've experienced it personally, and because of the difference Jesus has made across the globe in history.” “Hmm...” he responded. “I guess that's why I'm a Christian too.” After that we went out back to work on his jump shot.
*If you are looking for a Seattle church, check out Westside this Sunday!
Tue, 02/16/2010 - 1:49pm
Amber says:
Mon, 02/22/2010 - 10:29am
Amy Beaunaux says:
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