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Bless Your Children, But Don't be Afraid to Teach Them!

Bless Your Children, But Don't be Afraid to Teach Them!

BARRY D HANEY / General

Bless the Children, But Don’t be Afraid to Teach Them!

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Children’s Perspective

In teaching your child, never overlook the obvious. Remember, they view life differently than you. One teacher told the following story: Some third-graders were studying a unit on patriotism. After a discussion about how France had given us the Statue of Liberty, the teacher asked how many of her pupils had seen the statue. Several children raised their hands. Anticipating a chance to be dramatic and to recite “Give me your tired, your poor …” the teacher asked if anyone knew what was written on the base of the statue. There was silence. Then one youngster raised her hand and said, “Made in France?”1

I was asked recently, should we bless our children or grandchildren by placing our hand on top of their head? From a biblical standpoint I see no problem with this because instances of this practice can be found in both the Old and New Testaments. When you do this, you are asking God to Bless the child.

The following excerpt was taken from homefrontmag.com regarding blessing a child:

How to Give a Blessing to Your Child

Drs. John Trent and Gary Smalley outlined five biblical steps for giving a blessing to children in their book The Blessing: Meaningful Touch, A Spoken Message, Attaching High Value, Picturing a Special Future, and An Active Commitment. I have expanded on these steps below.

1. Meaningful Touch. Before a word is spoken, there should be the laying on of hands, a hug, or a reaching out to touch. We see this throughout Scripture, both in the Old and New Testaments. Appropriate touch conveys in powerful, nonverbal ways our love and affirmation. Touch prepares the way for our words.

2. A Spoken Message. In biblical times, children weren’t left to “fill in the blanks” as to whether they were valuable to a parent or grandparent. Words were used, aloud and in writing. Today, words can place unconditional love and acceptance into the heart of a child or loved one.

3. Attaching High Value. But what words do you say or write? The word blessing carries the idea that the person you’re blessing is of incredible worth and value, even as an imperfect person. In short, you’re helping a child get the picture that you see things in his or her life today that make the child special, useful, and of great value to you.

4. Picturing a Special Future. With our touch and with our words that attach high value, the response in our children’s or loved ones’ hearts can be nothing short of transformational. The light goes on in their hearts and minds when they realize that, because of the way God made them, they can do more than they ever dreamed in living out a God-honoring future.

5. An Active Commitment. Blessing children doesn’t mean we never discipline them or point out areas where growth is needed. But children know at an incredibly deep level if they have their parents’ blessing—if their mom or dad, grandmother, aunt, uncle, or other loved one really sees high value in them—even during the tough times. Genuine commitment is an unconditional commitment to an imperfect person that says as long as I have breath, I’ll be there to see to build these five elements of blessing into your life story.

Excerpt from Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family, by Michelle Anthony (page 115–116).”

Blessing children was often done by “Laying on of Hands” in the Old Testament. In the Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, laying on of hands is described as follows:

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Laying on of Hands

Phrase used in the Bible to describe a gesture or a ceremonial act. Central to both uses is the notion of power. The hand, particularly the right hand, was often a symbol for power in Bible times (see ; ; ; ).2

In the old testament, laying on of hands may symbolize the following:

• Representation

• Participation

• Bestowal of Blessing

• Commission people for important service

• Bestowal of the Holy Spirit

• To Heal

An example of the bestowal of blessing in the Old Testament can be demonstrated in :

The New King James Version Chapter 48

9 Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me in this place.” And he said, “Please bring them to me, and I will bless them.” 10 Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. Then Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. 11 And Israel said to Joseph, “I had not thought to see your face; but in fact, God has also shown me your offspring!” 12 So Joseph brought them from beside his knees, and he bowed down with his face to the earth. 13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him. 14 Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.

Jesus gave his blessing to children, by laying on His hands seen in :

The New King James Version Chapter 10

13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

FINAL POINT

The Bible tells us to bring up your children to know God in : “4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”

By teaching our children about God’s gift of salvation, we will ensure their place in Heaven. The Bible states in , “And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Prayer Today taken from Crosswalk.com:

Dear God,

We praise you for your love and faithfulness. We thank you for your protection and care over our families. Thank you that you give us the power to love well; the wisdom to lead and teach our children. We know you’re for us; that you fight for our families today. You are Redeemer, Restorer, and Friend, we believe you have good in store. We confess, some days, parenting is tough. Many days we can feel anxious or overwhelmed. We ask that you would make us more like you, more aware of your constant Presence in our lives. Help us to release our children to You, so that You are free to fully accomplish all that You desire, in them, through them. Please fill our families with your truth and cover us with your favor.

Lord, we pray for these blessings over our children, today, and every day…

Amen

Works Cited

1. Green, Michael P., 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, Grand Rapids, MI, page 46.

2. Elwell, Walter, Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, page 1317.