Two, Sincerity
Children can’t even see beyond the day, how can they really commit their lives to Christ? We laugh at a boy of six who says he wants to become a fireman – it’s just an immature whim. Perhaps God laughs at us for laughing at the little boy? In God’s grand scheme of things, who isn’t immature? No one!
But sincerity is another matter. There is no doubting the sincerity of the boy wanting to be a fireman. And sincerity is what God seeks. “God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
Three, Faith
The Bible tells us “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.” (Matthew 6:34) Jesus reminds those of ‘little faith’, not to be distracted by ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ ‘What will we wear?’. (Matthew 6:31) Unlike adults who are often bogged down by these mundane worries, Children are perhaps freer, to seek other priorities, like ‘The Kingdom of God’. (Matthew 6:33)
Children live in the here and now, but that in no way diminishes a child’s understanding of eternity. They have greater faith in the permanence of things and are quite willing to commit to ideas of ‘forever’.
Hence, Build a Relationship, Keep the Faith
Children may live only in the here and now, but every moment in their precious childhood becomes a lasting memory through adulthood. And this includes the time you have with them.
Which is the reason that relationship-building takes on extra importance when it comes to children. It is not just the message we are giving; it is more importantly, an intimate exchange of trust, a sample of Christ’s love, and a role-model for present and future reference.
More than just bringing them to faith in Jesus our savior, this sample of Christ’s love, stamped forever in the child’s heart, helps him keep the faith. Christ’s love will see him through life’s injustices and cruelties. Instead of false pride, cynicism and insecurity, Christ’s love sustains a child’s humility, sincerity and faith.