By Beverly Day
March 10, 2011
“YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL
YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT. AND THESE WORDS THAT I COMMAND
YOU TODAY SHALL BE ON YOUR HEART. YOU SHALL TEACH THEM DILIGENTLY
TO YOUR CHILDREN AND SHALL TALK OF THEM WHEN YOU SIT IN YOUR HOUSE,
AND WHEN YOU WALK BY THE WAY, AND WHEN YOU LIE DOWN, AND WHEN
YOU RISE.” – DEUTERONOMY 6: 5-7 (ESV)
The First Five Years
The first five years of life are unsurpassed in the physical, mental, emotional, and God are signifi cantly formed before they even enter school. For this reason, we must not underestimate the importance of starting early in laying foundations of faith in the lives of children around us.
Learning to Trust
The foundation of faith begins when a newborn’s first cry of hunger is satisfied by his mother’s provision. As the need for food, comfort, loving touch, security, etc. is consistently met, a child learns to trust their provider. Learning to trust in early childhood is critically important for children to be able to trust people in their world and ultimately to trust Jesus Christ as their own, personal Savior.
Building Foundations of Faith
Foundations of faith are built one teachable moment at a time through relationship and more familiar with the one they will one day know personally as their Savior!
Look for Teachable Moments
Adults have a high calling to pass the baton of faith to the next generation. We need to continually look for teachable moments to share with them that everything they are and every word we speak can be a building block of faith that lays the spiritual foundation for a lifetime. It is truly an investment in eternity!