Leading Children into a Wider, Deeper Love of Jesus

Editor’s note: In honor of the release of our first-ever challenge just for grandparents (Check the end of this post for more details!), we’ve pulled this post from the archives. It was written back in 2022 by our much loved blog team member Barbara Reaoch. Barbara went home to be with the Lord in August of this year, and we remain grateful for the many ways she impacted and encouraged our blog team and readers, particularly in the area of family discipleship, a special passion of hers. We hope this article blesses you as it has us. Read more from Barbara here.

“Jesus loves me, this I know.” What a sweet sound it is when words about Jesus flow by memory out of even the youngest child. Simple truths like these help kids start to see the beauty of the gospel.

But a common pitfall is to stop there. When we teach our kids about Jesus only in simple, general terms, they may come to know Jesus only vaguely or even wrongly.

The love of Christ is broad, long, high, and deep (Eph. 3:18). How can we help our children to know Him more fully? One way is to help them see Him in all of Scripture. Here are four questions to keep asking as you open the Bible with your family.

1. Keep asking, “Who is Jesus?”

The Bible tells one story about Jesus. From Genesis to Revelation, the Father wants us to see and love His Son as our greatest treasure. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Bible awakens our children’s hearts to desire a relationship with Jesus.

What a privilege to introduce our kids to Jesus as the Promised Rescuer (Gen. 3:14–15), or the Stairway to God (Gen. 28:10–17). Little children are not too young to learn what it means that Jesus is the Passover Lamb (Ex. 12:21–27) and depend on Him as the life-giving Bread (Ex. 16:1–5, 31). The stories of Scripture open the way for our kids to receive so much more than simply information about Jesus. They reveal His person and His heart.

2. Keep asking, “Why did God send Jesus to us?”

From cover to cover, the Bible reveals that God provided a way for sinful people to come into a relationship with Him. Jesus came to solve our greatest need in a way only He could.

Our children can learn that before creation, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit lovingly planned to make a beautiful family (Eph. 1:1–14). The Holy Spirit will open kids’ hearts to see that through Jesus, we can become Abraham’s promised descendants (Gen. 12:1–7; Gal. 3:29). The story of Noah will show them God’s right anger against sin and our need for rescue. The truth of Easter tells us that Jesus came to give us what sin had stolen. Jesus keeps those who trust in Him safe with their Father God forever.

To know Jesus is to know that the world does not revolve around us! When our kids search for meaning and fulfillment, we want them to know that Jesus is the purpose of our life. We want them to know that true happiness is loving God and living for Him.

3. Keep asking, “What lie does Satan want us to believe?”

The Bible warns us of God’s enemy, Satan. From the beginning of time, Satan has lied to keep us from trusting God. Without God’s powerful Word, our kids trust in cultural trends and each new philosophy. What can parents do? On our own, we are as helpless as our children. But Jesus triumphed over Satan at the cross. As our kids know Him, His victory becomes theirs.

In the Holy Spirit’s power, we can help our kids identify Satan’s lies. The serpent whispers, “True happiness comes through what you have and do.” “Who needs to be Jesus’ friend? Live for yourself and be happy.” “Why does God let bad things happen?” “The Bible is just a lot of different stories.”

What can help our kids the next time a new lie tries to win them over? With God’s Word as our family’s foundation, we can ask the Holy Spirit to make the truth about Jesus more and more beautiful.

4. Keep asking, “What is our right response to Jesus?”

The Bible teaches, rebukes, corrects, and trains believers in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). Scripture sets the standard of Christ-like thoughts, words, actions, and attitudes.

What does a right response to Jesus look like? Ask good questions to help your kids discover how God’s Word intersects with their lives. Be prepared to get the conversation going by talking about God’s mercy to you! Ask God for thoughtful questions to guide, challenge, and encourage your family’s response. Discussion gives rise to Christ-like thoughts, words, actions, and attitudes. As a family responds honestly to God’s Word and Spirit, they begin to treasure the truth of Jesus.

All the Fullness of God

All the fullness of our Triune God is found in this man Jesus (Eph. 3:19). When we help our kids know Jesus fully, the whole family learns to love the true Jesus deeply. More and more, we will find that Jesus alone satisfies the deepest desires of our hearts. As we study God’s Word together, we will marvel at the beauty of Jesus and find joy in knowing His all-satisfying love. Knowing Him ever more fully, we look with hope toward the day when we see Him face to face and enjoy Him forever.

Do you long for your grandchildren to know and love the Lord? Learn how to maximize your influential role with the latest resource from Revive Our Hearts, created with you and your family in mind. The 10-Day Grandparenting on Purpose Challenge draws on real-life wisdom from real-world grandparents, each of whom have found ways to be intentional and biblical in their approach to investing in the next generation. Sign up today!