Teaching Children About God's Character Through Biblical Stories

The Bible emphasizes the importance of teaching children about God's character from a young age. Psalm 34:11 instructs, "Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of Yahweh" ^[3]. This teaching is not limited to formal instruction but is also passed down through family and community.

Parents are encouraged to instruct their children in the ways of God, as seen in Deuteronomy 31:12-13, which commands the Israelites to "assemble the people...that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear Yahweh your God" ^[1]. The biblical narrative is replete with examples of parents teaching their children about God's character, such as the psalmist's declaration that "we will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord" ^[9].

The character of God is revealed through various biblical stories, which serve as a foundation for teaching children about His nature. For instance, the story of creation demonstrates God's power and wisdom ^[4]. The narratives of the patriarchs, such as Abraham and Jacob, illustrate God's faithfulness and providence. Jesus' teachings also emphasize God's character, particularly His fatherhood, as seen in Matthew 5:45, where Jesus encourages his followers to "be the children of your Father" ^[6].

The biblical emphasis on teaching children about God's character is rooted in the understanding that children are a gift from God and are capable of glorifying Him ^[1]. As Psalm 8:2 declares, "Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have established strength" ^[1]. The New Testament also highlights the importance of teaching children, with 2 Timothy 3:15 noting that Timothy had known the Holy Scriptures from infancy, which made him wise for salvation ^[5].

In teaching children about God's character, parents and caregivers should model the behavior they wish to instill. Ephesians 5:1 exhorts believers to "be followers of God, as dear children" ^[7]. By imitating God's character, adults demonstrate to children what it means to live a life pleasing to Him. The biblical narrative provides numerous examples of godly men and women who modeled faith and obedience, such as the psalmist, who declares, "O God, you have taught me from my youth" ^[8].

The benefits of teaching children about God's character are numerous. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, children who are instructed in the ways of God are more likely to "fear God, observe the law of God, and partake of the promises of God" ^[2]. By teaching children about God's character, parents and caregivers can help them develop a deep and abiding faith that will guide them throughout their lives.

The biblical emphasis on teaching children about God's character is not limited to any particular age or stage of development. Rather, it is a lifelong process that begins in childhood and continues through adulthood. As children grow and mature, they can be taught more complex aspects of God's character, such as His justice and mercy. By grounding children in the biblical narrative and teaching them about God's character, parents and caregivers can help them navigate the challenges of life with faith and confidence.

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Children — Christ was an example to -- Lu 2:51; Joh 19:26,27. Are a gift from God -- Ge 33:5; Ps 127:3. Are capable of glorifying God -- Ps 8:2; 148:12,13; Mt 21:15,16. Should be Brought to Christ. -- Mr 10:13-16. Brought early to the house of God. -- 1Sa 1:24. Instructed in the ways of God. -- De 31:12,13; Pr 22:6. Judiciously trained. -- Pr 22:15; 29:17; Eph 6:4. Should Obey God. -- De 30:2. Fear God. -- Pr 24:21. Remember God. -- Ec 12:1. Attend to parental teaching. -- Pr 1:8,9. Honour parents. -- Ex 20:12; Heb 12:9. Fear parents. -- Le 19:3. Obey parents. -- Pr ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Children, Good — The Lord is with -- 1Sa 3:19. Know the Scriptures -- 2Ti 3:15. Observe the law of God -- Pr 28:7. Their obedience to parents is well pleasing to God -- Col 3:20. Partake of the promises of God -- Ac 2:39. Shall be blessed -- Pr 3:1-4; Eph 6:2,3. Show love to parents -- Ge 46:29. Obey parents -- Ge 28:7; 47:30. Attend to parental teaching -- Pr 13:1. Take care of parents -- Ge 45:9,11; 47:12. Make their parents' hearts glad -- Pr 10:1; 29:17. Honour the aged -- Job 32:6,7. Adduced as a motive for submission to God -- Heb 12:9. Spirit of, a requisite f”
Psalms “Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of Yahweh. -- Psalms 34:11”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
II Timothy “II Timothy 3:15 (BSB) — From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 5:45: That ye may be the children of your father,.... Not that any became the children of God, by doing things in imitation of him: for as in nature no man becomes the son of another by imitating him, or by doing the things he does but either by birth, or by adoption; so in grace no man becomes a child of God by the works he does, as a follower of God, but by adopting grace; and which is discovered in regeneration. Christ's meaning is, that they might appear, and be known to be the children of God, by doing those things in which they resemble their heavenly Father; and whi”
Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 5:1: Here we have the exhortation to mutual love, or to Christian charity. The apostle had been insisting on this in the former chapter, and particularly in the last verses of it, to which the particle therefore refers, and connects what he had said there with what is contained in these verses, thus: "Because God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you, therefore be you followers of God, or imitators of him;" for so the word signifies. Pious persons should imitate the God whom they worship, as far as he has revealed himself as imitable by them. They must conform themsel”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 71:17: O God, thou hast taught me from my youth,.... The corruption of human nature; the weakness and impotence of it, to everything that is spiritually good; and the need of continual strength and grace from Christ, to go to him for righteousness and strength, life and salvation, and to walk by faith on him; the doctrine of justification by the righteousness of Christ, and the insufficiency of his own; the will, ways, and worship of God; and all the duties of religion, prayer, praise, &c. and whoever were the instruments, or whatever were the means, of teaching David these”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 78:4: We will not hide them from their children,.... The children of the Jewish fathers, but faithfully publish and declare them, as Christ and his apostles did; or the children of God and Christ, their spiritual seed and offspring: showing to the generation to come; and so in all successive ages, by the ministration of the word, and the Spirit attending it; see Psa 22:30, the praises of the Lord; what he has done in predestination, redemption, and effectual calling, which is to the praise of the glory of his grace, Eph 1:6, and so all other truths of the Gospel, which ”

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