Reflection:
I’ve often caught myself underestimating how much children really take in when hearing Bible stories, and for some reason it still surprises me whenever I see the lit-up excitement in a child’s eyes when they’re handed their first Bible. On Scripture Union camps and missions, we love to put Bibles in the hands of children who don’t own one, and we’ve seen some of the most unlikely events occur, from children who come from very difficult backgrounds, choosing to sit and read ‘Jesus Storybook’ Bibles in every moment of spare time, to ‘trouble-makers’ asking if they can stay up a little longer so they can keep reading their new Bible via torchlight under their blanket.
The story that sticks with me the most is Jacob’s*. Jacob had been on SU camps many times and had nearly been sent home for his behaviour more than once. His father had expressed that he was on the brink of sending him away to a home for troubled boys, because nothing was helping, and he was at his wits end. Then Jacob crossed a boundary in his behaviour on a camp, compromised the safety of other campers and had to be sent home. He showed little remorse and even continued his behaviour in the half-day it took to organise transport home for him. Once he realised that he was really going home this time, it became clear that SU camps had been making an impact on him, though he never showed it until now. He cried, bitterly. He surprised everyone by hugging each of his leaders before leaving and was presented a Bible with a personal note on the inside cover, encouraging him to turn to God in his times of need. He tucked it under his arm and boarded the bus to go home. When his dad collected him on the other end, he found Jacob reading his Bible, and said he’d read it for the entire 2-hour journey home, then he dragged his feet to the car because he didn’t want to put it down. Nobody expected this; he had never shown interest in small groups or discussion times or any biblical topics, but he was listening and taking in more than we could have known.
God’s word truly is living and active. Instilling biblical truths into young minds is powerful and effective, even if we are not given the blessing of seeing its effects. Any chance you have, share God’s word with children in your household, in your communities. God will use your works for his glory.
*Name changed to protect privacy
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your Word and that it is alive and active in our lives. I pray for the children in my life, in my community, that they will be given opportunities to hear the stories from your Word, and please use me to assist in that task.