Concrete for Kids

Don’t worry: I’m not advocating crazy levels of labor for children, and I’m not giving you some idea for how to keep your kids in one place!

Instead, this post is actually about teaching children the Bible, both in our homes and in the Bible class program in local congregations. We must be concrete.

Here is what I mean: as adults, we know a great deal about the Bible and about how to apply it to various aspects of our lives. We can often think on a very philosophical level and deal in matters that are more abstract. And that is a good thing, because it means that we are taking Scripture and making it part of our daily thinking.

However, when it comes to taking those things we know and teaching them to children, we often want to show them abstract concepts so they will know what we know.

The problem with that is very simple: children do not think in abstract concepts. They think in concrete facts. Names. Places. Events.

What does that mean? It means that we simply cannot spend too much time teaching our children the accounts of Scripture. Though we may know Daniel in the den of lions or Paul on the road to Damascus like the back of our hand, a child needs to have those accounts told and told and told.

And the reason is simply this: when a child has those facts in his or her mind, they can then begin to think through abstract concepts in a good way, because they have the facts of Scripture filling their mind. All those abstract concepts are then filtered through the basic knowledge of Scripture that they have attained.

Parents and teachers, you may tire of telling and retelling those accounts of Scripture. You may think you simply cannot talk about the flood of Genesis 6 one more time. But you are doing it the right way! Keep instilling these great faith-building accounts in the life of your children over and over again. Be concrete and share the simple facts of the Bible again and again.

Then, as they grow up, you will be amazed at how they can process abstract concepts and the decisions of life, because they have the proper filter through which to see and think through the world.

“…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” (2 Timothy 3:15)

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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn