I've often wondered what is the best way to get the attention of my children. When I preach Sunday after Sunday, it seems that they take the messages for granted more than anyone else in the church. I've often thought that maybe we need to have a regular Junior Church; and there would certainly be nothing wrong with that happening, if in the future God allowed it; but I'm not convinced that's how I can get their attention. I've often thought of ways to do things around the house that make work more exciting. I've thought of reward systems, and ways to motivate them, but I'm not convinced.Â
I think the Bible is very clear on how to get their attention. It says in Proverbs 23:26, "My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways." So what I find, according to this passage is that if I want their attention, I must have their heart
first. The second part of that verse, summed up, is their attention. So how can I convince my children to give me their heart?
I think first of all,
Give them attention. Isn't it the same thing with winning souls? Isn't it necessary that we become all things to all men? Isn't it necessary for us to be able to draw out the deep well of each man's heart before they will listen? I think our scheduling a lot of times makes us push our kids aside...and they
see very plainly that they are not as important as other things are, and even
other people if you're a pastor. Kids need to know that
they are important.
Secondly,
Give them answers. Kids ask a lot of questions, don't they? But I can think of no better teacher than a teacher who has answers, and
that without ridicule. I think of Peter's
silly question in Matthew 18:21, "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?" Jesus simply corrected him with loving care. I can also think of the rich young ruler of Matthew 19:16, who said, "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" Jesus gave the answer, "Keep the commandments." Ignorantly, the young man responds, "Which?" As fathers, we might have a tendency to say, "Where's your head, boy? Didn't I say commandment-S???" Not Jesus. He simply stated the commandments one after the other very patiently. This is what our kids need. God did not give us our children to make them feel stupid, but to train them, and correct them
lovingly.
Thirdly,
Give them actions. There is nothing that speaks louder than your own practices. Jesus never sparked curiosity in his disciples about prayer by preaching a sermon about it. They became curious because they actually
saw him
doing it. How in the world are our kids supposed to get excited about the things of God if we're not? Notice Luke 11:1, "And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." It was not after
answers, but after
actions that they became interested. My boys know when I've been with God and when I haven't, and
so do yours! You can't fool them! And
you're a fool if you think you can! Kids know!
Finally,
Give them authority. Kids may not ever tell you this, but they
need someone to lead them. They need someone to say,
We're going to church whether you like it or not. I can think of dads who made their kids go to church if they had the flu! Now, I'm not
that bad, but I can say this, those kids are serving God in the ministry today and obeying
His authority because they learned about authority at a younger age! You say,
but that's abuse! Is it? I think it's abuse to keep them from what they need, don't you?
AND THEY NEED GOD. So beloved,
Fan the Flame! Get your kids' attention by getting their heart!
