5 Assumptions About God And Why They Are WrongSample

Believing in God—That’s Kids’ Stuff

Assumption: Jesus is for kids

Let me start by saying that Jesus is for children. He used the trusting nature of children in his teachings, and warned adults to treasure them and treat them with love and respect. They are the most precious of gifts bestowed on us by God.

In Luke chapters 9 and 18, Jesus called adults to follow him by showing humility and trust the way a child does. The Bible is always speaking to adults about following God and letting God lead them, as seen in Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd.” The Bible is always calling adult parents to train up their children to walk with God. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Proverb 22:6, Psalm 127). So, when Jesus spoke about his love for children, he was addressing a bigger issue—the way adults begin to respond to God.

Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, “walking with God” is no longer sought after. God is left behind, or people just outgrow their need for God. They begin to have the wrong assumption about God: “God, like Santa, is for children. God is for the elementary stage in the development or evolution of becoming a responsible adult. Once I’m an adult I don’t intend to follow anybody else’s rules. If it’s to be, it’s up to me. I don’t like the idea of God telling me how to live my life.”

I had a close friend who went through a similar stage in his life. In his older years however, he faced several crises and personal tragedies that were bigger than he could ever hope to handle alone. I got a call one day from Danny. He said, “I need help…I think I need God’s help.”

A light went off in my head. We never outgrow our need for God. It takes a crisis to remind us of something we knew when we were young: children in their time of need always run to their parents. God is our Father. He can handle our problems and our crises when we bring them to him.

Everybody faces trials that are way beyond their control and ability to handle. When they do, they will turn to someone for help, just like a child turning to a parent. Who will you turn to in your time of need? God is for children and you are his child.