Children recieving Jesus

[ale8]

we where reading bible stories to my 5y old a couple of days ago. She has an age appropriate bible so the stories are like two pages or so. We where reading about Jesus Resurrection.

When we finish she started asking questions. Like how can Jesus be alive if he was dead. She recently lost her first pet a little fish. When she saw the fish was gong we tried to explain it to her. So when she heard that Jesus died she knew her fish wasn't here anymore so how could Jesus be alive. I tried to explain it as best as I could. When I finished she ask me if God's house was in heaven and did Jesus live there. I told her Jesus is everywhere and He can come live in your hart. She said I would love that!

She is five and I am not sure how to go forward. I know a lot of people that say she is to little to know what she is doing. Of course I know other people that say she might not understand how she needs Jesus because of sin and that's the only way not to go to Hell but she can still ask Jesus into her hart.

What do you all think about this? I am not aware of any age requirement in the Bible.

 

[handy]

No, there is no age minimum to belief in Christ. On the contrary, Jesus said that we should come to Him as little children. As a parent, continue to answer her questions in age appropriate ways. Also, at 5, I'm sure she certainly can understand the concept of sin as something bad that causes God to be sad...sad enough that Jesus died so that He could take away the punishment for it.

I'm personally not too into the "asking Jesus into my heart" form of Christianity, but that's my opinion. She can certainly understand that when she sins, she not only makes herself and her parents sad, she also makes God sad and she can ask God's forgiveness. Obviously she believes in Jesus.

Myself, I would start to talk with her about being baptized if she isn't already.

It sounds as if you are certainly doing your job as a parent to raise your child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord!

 

[Mike]

It seems to me, as her parent, you know her capacity to comprehend such matters better than anyone. I would begin with what she clearly understands and build on that. At this point, knowing she has a Father who Created her, a Son who died for her, and a Holy Spirit who comforts her will give her what she needs today. Those childrens' Bibles are great, but I've found you really need to keep up with their ability to understand or they just become cute stories.

I love hearing stories of children sorting out their faith! Keep on filling her up! :yes

 

[ale8]

thanks for input. She really pay attention when we read her bible. she always ask us questions about the stories.

handy,
I am curious about this statement. Would you mind explaining your view?

I'm personally not too into the "asking Jesus into my heart" form of Christianity, but that's my opinion.

 

[Gazelle]

Re: Children receiving Jesus


Both of my sons accepted Christ when they were three years old. But then, it was a strong Christian family.

I think the one caution I would make is about "object lessons." These are well-meaning stories that give the symbols of sin, death, Christ, and forgiveness. They do gain the interest of children, but they can also confuse.

For example, my older son at age 3 came in and was concerned because he didn't want all that stuff all over his body! The day before (Sunday) the object lesson in his Sunday School class, as it turns out, was about leprosy! Being a smart child he quickly understood as I explained how that was a symbol of sin, and related the basic story again of the salvation message. (Basically taking him through "the Roman's Road" of Scripture. Romans 3:23, 6:23, 10:9,10; 5:8 etc)
He then wanted to and did accept Christ. Today he is a deacon in his church, with a wife in children's ministry and two wonderful teenagers....all believers in Christ.

When he was 5, he brought his 3 year old brother to me because he, too, wanted Jesus "in his heart."

I think it's okay, if you explain a little bit about having Christ in our heart...because truly Christ said that.. he knocks... and to open the door to your heart... the heart is the core of our essence.

Some children aren't ready at age 3, maybe not at age 5... etc. I believe that once they truly understand the difference between right and wrong, it's time to talk to them about Jesus, one on one.

Be well.

 

[handy]

thanks for input. She really pay attention when we read her bible. she always ask us questions about the stories.

handy,
I am curious about this statement. Would you mind explaining your view?

Because it's not biblical. One can search throughout the gospels, Acts and all the epistles and not once, ever, will one find anyone being exhorted to "ask Jesus into your heart".

With all due respect to Gazelle (and she has obviously raised some fine sons)...as well as the many Christian parents do exhort their kids to ask Jesus into their hearts, my own sisters and brother included, using Revelation 3:20 as a "proof text" for the "ask Jesus into your heart"...the very popular image of Jesus standing at the "door" of one's heart, knocking to come in in order to bring salvation...isn't biblical either.

There are basically two places in Scripture where "knocking" is used as a metaphor for seeking after a spiritual truth. One is where Jesus said, "Knock and the door will be opened" which assures us that when we pray for our needs, physical and spiritual, our Father will answer us. The other Revelation 3:20, where Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." But, if one studies the context of what Jesus is saying here, He is not directing this to sinners in need of salvation. These words are being directed at a church, a body of those who already believe, but who are lukewarm in their faith.

You know, I have a lot more to say about this...but I don't want to derail your thread. I think I'll make a new thread on this subject.

Meanwhile, I think you're doing a great job. The basic gospel message is, "Believe" and your little girl certainly shows that she believes. As I said before, I would start to talk to her about being baptized. My daughter was baptized at age 6, when she could firmly express her belief in Christ, her own sin and her need of God's forgiveness. Now that she's a teenager, she's begining to grapple with not only deeper spiritual truths, but also the onslaught of the world's hatred towards all things godly. As much as she gets pummeled with things...her baptism has been a concrete event that has become an anchor for her belief.

One more thing on this thread before I start on the other one...If you do the whole "ask Jesus into your heart" thing, please don't do what one person (the director of a day care I used to work at, always did)....she would have the kids pray and ask Jesus into their hearts, then she would have them breathe really deep, deep breaths, about 3 or 4...and them say "Do you feel that! Do you feel Jesus coming in!!!!!!" That is such bad, bad manipulation...causing a child to practically hyperventilate and then equating that with the indwelling of Christ. I think her practice of doing that more than anything else causes me to not only view the whole "ask Jesus into your heart" as unbiblical, but potentially harmful as well.

 

[ale8]

Handy,

Thanks for the explanation. I was familiar with the two passages you quoted about knocking. I look forward to reading your post about your stance on this topic.

 

[reba]

Ale... Reading the Bible stories to the kids ! WOW. She is asking wonderful! As to age requirement in the scriptures ..This scripture comes to mind

2Co 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)


growing up we did not have the 'little golden books' no reason we just didnt' but we had Bible stories...

God saved Baby Moses in his little boat. Sweet story? well beyond a sweet story... The depths of the Bible stories grows and grows ..

Spot on Handy

It sounds as if you are certainly doing your job as a parent to raise your child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord!

 

[Gazelle]

Re: Children receiving Jesus

I personally grew up with "Uncle Arthur's Bedtime Stories." Bible stories each one, based on something in the Bible.

Well... as another said it well, anything we use to lead another to Christ needs to be clearly expressed. And as I cautioned with any object lesson and children, it's to help them understand (much like members try to make examples to help other members here understand things.)

But there are countless verses that refer to the heart. I fail to see the difference between the heart being the "residing place?" of Christ or the Holy Spirit, and it being unacceptable to ask Christ into one's heart... splitting hairs imo. It's not wrong. It might not be the best way to lead a particular child to Christ. However, it's quite comforting to some children to "know" Christ lives within them! I know He surely lives within my heart! :D (Thank you Billy Graham for promoting this... though I find the Bible older than you dear friend.)

 

[handy]

With me it was "Mirriam's Big Book of Bible Stories". As I've mentioned often, I was not raised in a Christian home. "Mirriam's" was my only source of information about God and God definately planted seeds of faith in me...seeds that came to fruition when I was 13.

One thing that I can recommend is the International Children's Bible. It's a translation is very easy language and provides some nice pictures and graphics. Both of my kids started reading this particular bible when they were as young as 6-7.

ale8, since your little girl is as old as 5, she's probably old enough to separate out metaphor from reality. If she can understand and comprehend sayings like "raining cats and dogs" she's most likely capable of understanding that "Jesus in your heart" is a metaphor for the very real presence of God's Spirit in our being...which, as Gazelle rightly points out is a comforting thought for any Christian any age. My own personal opinion is that it's simply better to stick with "If you believe in Christ, you are a Christian and He does live within you" but hey, just imho. Keep in mind, I developed my aversion to this particular phrase when working with children as young as 2 and 3 who were being told to do this...and children that little have a very hard time comprehending metaphor.

 

[WIP]

we where reading bible stories to my 5y old a couple of days ago. She has an age appropriate bible so the stories are like two pages or so. We where reading about Jesus Resurrection.

When we finish she started asking questions. Like how can Jesus be alive if he was dead. She recently lost her first pet a little fish. When she saw the fish was gong we tried to explain it to her. So when she heard that Jesus died she knew her fish wasn't here anymore so how could Jesus be alive. I tried to explain it as best as I could. When I finished she ask me if God's house was in heaven and did Jesus live there. I told her Jesus is everywhere and He can come live in your hart. She said I would love that!

She is five and I am not sure how to go forward. I know a lot of people that say she is to little to know what she is doing. Of course I know other people that say she might not understand how she needs Jesus because of sin and that's the only way not to go to Hell but she can still ask Jesus into her hart.

What do you all think about this? I am not aware of any age requirement in the Bible.

A child's faith is such a powerful faith. Jesus tells us to have faith like that of a child. A child's faith is innocent. They don't rely on proof or evidence they just believe. Simple as that. That is how we are to believe but we tend to have to be able to explain and understand everything. We look for signs. But God just says believe. Blessed are they who have not seen and yet believe.

Encourage your child. This is such a beautiful, inspiring, and motivational story. thank you for sharing.