Don't buy into the lie that quiet time has to be quiet in order for God
to speak. Squirming, active children in a motion filled home is ripe soil
for the Gospel. It's supposed to happen this way because this is real
life with young children; at least that's what I keep telling myself. We attempt to have Bible reading as part of our daily life. Most days it happens. Some days, life gets crazy and it doesn't. Some times it goes well. The kids sit still and listen. Great truths of our faith are shared.....
Other times..... bad attitudes, unrealistic expectations and life with young children happens too. Kids squirm. They tickle or hit the sibling sitting beside them. They are grossed out by whatever they just put in their mouth! Any number of things can interrupt the "formality" of our teaching.
Thankfully we've been instructed by scripture that teaching the Bible doesn't have to be a complicated thing. Deuteronomy 6:7-9, "Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along
the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates."
The reality of life with kids is that they are not going to sit still. The best listening they do is when they are engaged in the story, acting along, answering questions and are allowed to interrupt to ask. questions. I've been amazed at some of the thing they want to know.
Josiah needs something to do while he listens. Often, I will give him a toy car or something to occupy his hands. I've learned, even when they are running around or playing they are still learning. Sometimes, I'm amazed at what they pick up when I think there is no way they heard what I was saying.
It's also a relief to know it is a continually process. We hope that we will have many years to share these truths with our children. We've read
through many different children's Bibles with them. Many of the stories
of the faith have been repeated over and over. The kids can can bring up details
and facts that have been building over the past few years. We are also able to get onto more complicated and mature issue as they mature. It is our
goal to help them see how all of the stories are not just individual
stories, but are all connected. They are all part of the ultimate story;
the story of Christ.
