This weekend we taught the children the biblical story of Jesus in the desert. We helped the children children recognize that Jesus faced choices about whether or not to obey God. And we taught the children to ask for God’s help when faced with important choices.

In today’s society children face bullies, guns, and the pressure to have sex and take drugs. No school systems are immune. These problems happen in public and private schools, inner city and suburban or rural schools, and in Christian and secular schools. And children of increasingly younger ages are experiencing these pressures. Children, just as adults, have to make choices between good and evil.

In this weekend’s lessons, we taught the children the biblical story of Jesus in the wilderness. We told them that Jesus faced choices about whether or not to obey God. This lesson is a very important one in teaching children that they, like Jesus, can ask for God’s help when faced with difficult choices. Children want to make good choices because they want to please their parents, teachers, and other authority figures. Even older children, whose focus is often on impressing and pleasing their peers, still desire and need the affirmation of their parents and other adults.
Think about a time when you made a poor choice, either when you were younger or as an adult. What led you to make the poor decision? Was it not having sufficient information, peer pressure, lack of confidence or low self-esteem, eagerness to please others, to avoid conflict, or perhaps another reason? As you consider your reason, more likely than not your children have made poor decisions because of similar reasons. Now think about any mercy shown from God and others in the midst of your poor choice. God is always gracious and willing to forgive. God forgives, and you have to forgive yourself as well. Sometimes we have a difficult time forgiving ourselves. Now think about the times when you made good choices. What helped you to make the right choice?
This week as you interact with your children provide opportunities to encourage and affirm them. Let the children know God will give them the strength to do what is right. Also, let them know that God offers forgiveness when they make poor choices. Help the children learn that God is a source of unending love, as well as a source of guidance and strength.

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor”. Luke 2:52