Owning the story

Linda Pollock March 07, 2018 0 0

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Psalm 78: 1-8

1 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
    incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable;
    I will utter dark sayings from of old,
3 things that we have heard and known,
    that our ancestors have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children;
    we will tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
    and the wonders that he has done.

5 He established a decree in Jacob,
    and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
    to teach to their children;
6 that the next generation might know them,
    the children yet unborn,
and rise up and tell them to their children,
7     so that they should set their hope in God,
and not forget the works of God,
    but keep his commandments;
8 and that they should not be like their ancestors,
    a stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation whose heart was not steadfast,
    whose spirit was not faithful to God.

“If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.

If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.

If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.

If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.

If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.

If children live with fairness, they learn justice.

If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.”

Extract from, ‘Children Learn What They Live’ Copyright © 1972 by Dorothy Law Nolte

If children live with Christ’s story, they will own it for themselves…                                                

So, how may we participate in helping children own the Good News, and satisfy God’s instructions to His people? 

As well as the Psalm, see also Deuteronomy 4: 5-9.

Eternal God,
help me to nurture the children in my life,
to place them at the centre of my community as Jesus did…
not on the margins where I can keep an eye on them while they keep their distance,
not on the stage to entertain me,
not hiding them behind me to over-protect them.
Help me to trust Your Spirit in them,
as You trust me.
Amen.