Raising tiny theologians: A matter of life and death
Christianese can really trip people up. Sometimes terminology intimidates well-intentioned Christians when these words are actually filled to the brim with rich, treasurable truths. Take the word “theology” for example. We assume theology is for the scholar, the pastor, the apologist – but never for us. Yet theology is simply the study of God, His existence and attributes and His relationship to His creation. We all have views about these things. That makes us all theologians. And if you’re a parent, then you’re raising tiny theologians.
It’s our privilege and responsibility to raise theologians that have a correct view of God. Their lives are depending on it. Remember: your children are forming a view of God whether you’re helping them to form that view or not. Your words instruct them, as does your silence. Every circumstance, every friend, and even every show impacts their worldview, and as Christians it’s our duty (and hopefully our delight) to cultivate a biblical worldview for our children. We have no power to save their souls but we can teach them who God is in hopes that the Holy Spirit will reconcile them to God through repentance of their sins and faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Practical suggestions for teaching preschoolers about God
Teaching your kids about God does not mean that you need to clear the dining room table and open up a seminary. Raising tiny theologians requires a lot of love for Jesus and a bit of intentionality. As a mom, I’m always praying for ways to show my kids who God is. Here are some examples that fold nicely into daily living with preschoolers:
Pray at every meal.
Pray with them when they get a boo-boo.
Pray through your church directory at dinnertime.
Have Dad pray for the family before he leaves for work every day. (You teach theology in your prayers. Pray thoughtful prayers!).
Fill your bookshelves are filled with awesome children’s books about theology like This Is the Gospel, The Biggest Story and The Ology.
Recite the Lord’s prayer or other verses to your kids while you brush their teeth every morning and night.
When you go for walks, exclaim to your kids how awesome God is for all of the things that He’s made, and teach them to be good stewards of His creation.
Revolve your lives around the family of God expressed in the local church. Besides Sunday services, include your children in hospital visits, meal trains, community groups, outreach events and prayer meetings. The opportunities abound!
When they’re scared of thunder, remind them that thunder shows us how strong and mighty God is!
When discipline and instruction are needed, remind them that this is why Jesus died on the cross – for their sins.
When you sin against your children, seek their forgiveness and remind them that this is why Jesus died on the cross – for your sins.
Listen to music in the car that is filled with God’s Word and worship like Getty Kids Hymnal and Songs from The New City Catechism.
Incorporate Scripture memory into everyday life. These memory cards are great.
When putting on a show for them to watch, why not pick one like this or this?
Use resources like these to teach your kids about the attributes of God and the fruit of the Spirit.
Pray with your kids every night and beg God to save them.
Read a Bible story every night before bed.
Rock them to sleep by singing a theologically rich song.
This list doesn’t even begin to include all of the moments that arise each day for intentional theological formation, but it’s a great start. If your eyes are open, and you’re prayerfully seeking the help of the Holy Spirit, then you’ll encounter endless opportunities to raise up tiny theologians who know who God truly is and how He relates to His creation. Is there anything more important than this? And what a blessing it is that we get to raise up tiny theologians for their joy and the glory of His name!
Katlynne Mirabal is a pastor’s wife, serves as the children’s ministry director at Seacoast Community Church in Portsmouth, NH. Katlynne is also the host of the Miss Teacher Mom podcast, which endeavors to encourage and equip moms to raise their kids with eternity in mind.