Trusting in God – it’s like believing that the roller coaster will stay on the tracks. It’s scary at times, but you know it’s designed to keep you safe. Teaching kids to trust in God is like explaining why they need to buckle up in the car. It’s about safety and security.
Starting with Basics
Start with the basics. Explain that trusting in God means believing that He loves us, is in control, and has a good plan for our lives. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” It’s about relying on God, not just ourselves.
Using Bible Stories
Use Bible stories to illustrate trust. Noah trusted God and built an ark when there was no sign of rain (Genesis 6-9). Abraham trusted God’s promise to make him the father of many nations (Genesis 12:1-9). Jesus trusted His Father’s will, even to the point of dying on the cross (Matthew 26:39). These stories show how trust in God leads to amazing outcomes.
Explaining God's Faithfulness
Explain God’s faithfulness. Share how God has kept His promises throughout history and in your own life. Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Help them see that God is trustworthy because He always keeps His word.
Using Everyday Examples
Use everyday examples they can relate to. Trusting in God is like trusting their parents to provide for their needs, teachers to guide them, or friends to be there for them. These analogies help them understand that trusting God is about believing He will take care of them.
Encouraging Personal Trust
Encourage personal trust in God. Help them see that trusting God isn’t just for big decisions but also for everyday situations. Pray with them about their worries, decisions, and dreams. Show them that trusting God means including Him in every part of their lives.
Praying Together
Pray together for trust. Ask God to help them trust Him more, especially in difficult times. Prayer strengthens their faith and shows them that trusting God involves seeking His help and guidance. It’s like building a bridge – each prayer adds strength to their trust in God.
Using Real-Life Testimonies
Use real-life testimonies of trust. Share stories of people who trusted God and saw His faithfulness. It could be stories from your own life, your family, or well-known figures from history or your community. These testimonies make the concept of trust tangible and relatable.
Practicing Patience
Teach them to practice patience. Trusting in God often involves waiting for His timing. Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Help them understand that God’s timing is perfect, even when it doesn’t match our own.
Living by Example
Live by example. Show them what it looks like to trust in God. Let them see you praying, relying on God’s promises, and remaining calm in difficult situations. Your example teaches them more about trust than words alone can.
The Sum Up
Teaching kids to trust in God involves starting with basics, using Bible stories, explaining God’s faithfulness, and using everyday examples. Encourage personal trust, pray together for trust, use real-life testimonies, practice patience, and live by example. It’s about helping them see that trusting in God is like believing that the roller coaster will stay on the tracks – it’s about safety, security, and knowing that God is always in control. And remember, trusting in God is the ultimate safety net – it’s always there to catch you.
