December 28th, 2022
by Andy Bailey
by Andy Bailey
Murder, prostitution, adultery... these are things we might not want our kids watching on television.
But how do we handle it when these themes are in the bible? Simply put, the bible is not always G-rated.
Obviously, we want our kids reading the bible, but some themes must be handled by parents with care.
As Rock of Christ moved recently to a more family-oriented worship service, we know that kids will be in the service with us while the Word of God is declared and explained.
This is a great thing, especially considering that preaching is a means of grace. Paul asked the rhetorical question in Romans 10:14 -
"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?"
But how do we handle the PG-13 areas of Scripture with our young ones? This tension brings me to the point of this post. Starting in January 2023, we will be in the book of Hosea.
If you are a parent, I highly encourage you to go ahead and read through Hosea yourself and prepare for some of the questions your child might have about the book.
The first chapter alone contains words like "whoredom", "adultery", "naked", "breasts", etc. The book deals with themes of prostitution and adultery, comparing us to an unfaithful bride and Jesus to the faithful and relentless groom.
Your child might ask what these words mean, and there is a child appropriate way to explain it. We must remember that the bible is not a book only for adults, but for children as well (Ephesians 6:1-3). Since sermons are the preaching of God's word, sermons are also for children as well as adults.
Personally, I plan to explain these concepts to my children in terms of faithfulness, love, and marital union, without going in depth into the sexual element of these things until they are at an appropriate age.
My preaching through this text will attempt to honor this sensitivity as well. I will read the inspired words of Scripture, but my explanations will focus more on faithfulness and pushing back against idolatry. I encourage you to take a similar approach with your children.
As always, if you have any questions on how to discuss these things with your family, please reach out to me.
As parents, we have a blessed opportunity (Psalm 127:3). Make the best of it!
"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
- Pastor Andy
But how do we handle it when these themes are in the bible? Simply put, the bible is not always G-rated.
Obviously, we want our kids reading the bible, but some themes must be handled by parents with care.
As Rock of Christ moved recently to a more family-oriented worship service, we know that kids will be in the service with us while the Word of God is declared and explained.
This is a great thing, especially considering that preaching is a means of grace. Paul asked the rhetorical question in Romans 10:14 -
"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?"
But how do we handle the PG-13 areas of Scripture with our young ones? This tension brings me to the point of this post. Starting in January 2023, we will be in the book of Hosea.
If you are a parent, I highly encourage you to go ahead and read through Hosea yourself and prepare for some of the questions your child might have about the book.
The first chapter alone contains words like "whoredom", "adultery", "naked", "breasts", etc. The book deals with themes of prostitution and adultery, comparing us to an unfaithful bride and Jesus to the faithful and relentless groom.
Your child might ask what these words mean, and there is a child appropriate way to explain it. We must remember that the bible is not a book only for adults, but for children as well (Ephesians 6:1-3). Since sermons are the preaching of God's word, sermons are also for children as well as adults.
Personally, I plan to explain these concepts to my children in terms of faithfulness, love, and marital union, without going in depth into the sexual element of these things until they are at an appropriate age.
My preaching through this text will attempt to honor this sensitivity as well. I will read the inspired words of Scripture, but my explanations will focus more on faithfulness and pushing back against idolatry. I encourage you to take a similar approach with your children.
As always, if you have any questions on how to discuss these things with your family, please reach out to me.
As parents, we have a blessed opportunity (Psalm 127:3). Make the best of it!
"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
- Pastor Andy
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