Dear Fellow Children of God,
A number of people I know have suffered from colds
recently. So, how do you treat a hoarse
voice and a sore throat? If you visit a
doctor you may be given a prescription for an antibiotic. You could go to the store and buy some
mouthwash or some throat lozenges. Or,
you could gargle with salt water. Salt
water is not a new idea. I’ve used this
remedy since I was a child. I think my
parents did, and probably generations before them. But just because gargling with salt water is an
old technique does not mean it is not effective. Sometimes old fashioned ideas continue to be
used because they work.
This Sunday, the first Sunday after Labor Day, Sunday
School starts up again at St. John, and I’m sure at many other congregations as
well. For many Sunday School may seem to
be old fashioned, an idea of a different era.
And it is. But, even though
Sunday School may be an old idea it still works.
Children and adults will meet between worship services to
attend classes to learn about God and His Word.
Students will have an opportunity to learn that God loves them so much
that He sent His Son to sacrifice Himself to forgive us and save us. Children and adults will consider God’s
direction for our lives. Meeting with
other believers for support and encouragement helps us to grow and persevere as
children of God.
Throughout Scripture God calls parents and believers to
help children to grow in knowledge and faith in God.
In Deuteronomy 6
God says, “6 These commandments that I
give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children.
Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you
lie down and when you get up.”
In Proverbs 22
godly parents are told, “6 Train a child in the way he
should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
In Mark 10 Jesus
says, 14 . . . "Let the little children
come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as
these.”
In Ephesians 6
Christians are instructed, “4 Fathers, do not exasperate
your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the
Lord.”
Sunday School is one way that parents can help their
children grow in knowledge about God and His love. So, I encourage each of you to make sure your
children and grandchildren are in Sunday School this week.
However, please notice that each of these verses above
talks about faith in the home. It is
important that parents don’t just drop their children off at Sunday School, but
that children see parents growing in God’s love and using God’s word for
strength and guidance in their lives. It
is one thing to take children to Sunday School.
It is another to model what is taught with our own lives.
So, I hope that all of you are in worship and in Sunday
School and Bible class this Sunday. I also pray that you take what you learn
home with you.
A Child of God, Praying that St. John Children are
Growing in God’s love, at church and at home,
Pastor Jonathan
****
ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ I am
sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and
friends whose e-mails I have. (I am always adding new names of friends
and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first
time.) However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me
know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if
you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me
their e-mail address.
******
No comments:
Post a Comment