When my daughter was little, the entertainment of choice was a purple dinosaur named Barney. While my little girl liked to watch Barney, her dad was not a fan at all. Fortunately, a few years later, when her two brothers came along, the entertainment of choice was “Veggie Tales.” “Veggie Tales” were great. Silly songs with Larry, Madame Blue Berry going to Stuff Mart, where is my hairbrush, and other creative stories were entertaining for the kids and for dad. And they also told Bible stories and taught lessons in a way that little kids could digest. “Veggie Tales” were the best.
One Sunday morning, my son Matt was coloring nicely on the bench. The preacher mentioned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Thinking that Matt was in his own little world, he looked up at me and said, oh, he means Rack, Shack, & Benny. It took all my self-control to keep from laughing out loud in the middle of the sermon.
Little kids take in more than we realize. They are sponges for whatever comes into their world. This made me think about how we protect and raise our kids.
Raising Kids is hard! I am not sure how else to say it. I think it is harder today than it was for me 20 years ago. Technology has brought many new challenges for parents and children alike. I am a believer in protecting the innocence of our children.
The good news is that the book of Proverbs provides Godly guidance for parents: “Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.” (Proverbs 11:18 NIV).
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it” Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
Parents have a lot to consider when raising their children.
The internet is a highway for filth, and it is engineered to target children’s attention.
Much of the public education system is working against Biblical teaching.
Children need Godly discipline. They need limits and protection. We cannot passively stay on the sidelines.
We need to fill these young sponges with good things: Bible School, Sunday School, Day Camps, family devotions, wholesome entertainment, activities, and lots of Love.
As a church, we need to minister to families with children. Support parents with resources and other families who share the same values and devotion to Jesus. We need to be a family of God that fosters community and nurtures friendships.
Children are not the problem; they are the blessing. We need to invest in them. The Proverbs are as true today as the day they were written.
What can you do to assist? Teach a Sunday School class. Organize a craft for Vacation Bible School. Spend time with your grandchildren. Take a kid fishing. Bake cookies with them. Read them a bible story. There are many things we can all do to assist young parents.
And you can still watch old “Veggie Tales” today.
Jim Nolt – CBC Ex. Board
