21 Biblical Truths Your Children Need to Hear Regularly
At times the discipleship of our children is formal. Most of the time it is informal. Most of the time it is done during the normal course of life (Deuteronomy 6:6–7). Often it is accomplished and even effectively so, in the margins of our lives; during the drive to school, cleaning up after dinner, while brushing teeth, etc.
With this in mind what follows is an informal catechism. A list of 21 biblical truths that our children need to know. And because they need to know, they need to hear them regularly. They need to hear them sitting in your house, walking by the way, lying down and getting up (Deuteronomy 6:6–7). They need to hear them in the car, around the dinner table, and before bed. This also means that we, parents, need to be diligent in teachings our children these truths.
The list is not exhaustive or systematic. Much more could and should be taught. Not everything on this list is equally important but everything on this list is necessary for passing on a Christian worldview. Use this informal catechism with this goal in mind.
21 Biblical Truths Your Children Need to Hear Regularly
1. God wrote the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:16)
He guided men to write down exactly what he wanted and because of this there are no mistakes in the Bible.
2. God is invisible but he is more real than anything else that exists. (Acts 17:28)
Nothing else can exist without him.
3. God is triune. (Matthew 28:19)
There is one God who eternally exists as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It’s ok if young children do not understand this as much as they will when they are adults. But this vocabulary will later help them as they begin to organize theological truths in their minds. Hearing this regularly will also help to develop a theological immune system in kids so that they can avoid cults, many of which deny the Trinity.
4. Jesus Christ is truly God and truly man. (John 1:1 & John 1:14) Not half God and half man but fully God and fully man. 100% God and 100% human but one unique and amazing Savior.
5. Every person deserves to be punished by God in hell because of their sins. (Romans 6:23)
6. Jesus Christ died on the cross and then rose again from the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
7. On the cross Jesus took the punishment for the sins of all who would believe in him. (1 Peter 3:18) Jesus is the substitute for and the representative of his people.
8. God gives people new spiritual hearts so they can think and act in a way that glorifies God. (Ezekiel 36:26)
9. Salvation is a gift received by faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9) You cannot earn it. You do not deserve to be saved.
10. Jesus is coming back and will judge the world. (2 Timothy 4:1) For Christians this is great news that should bring joy. For non-Christians this is terrifying news that warns them to seek salvation.
11. The church is a group of God’s people that get together to worship God and help one another follow Jesus. (Hebrews 10:24-25) The church is very important to Jesus and should be very important to his followers.
12. You can pray to God anytime and anywhere. (Psalm 139:4) He hears everything.
13. Not everything you hear, read, or watch is true. People make mistakes and often lie on purpose. (1 John 4:1-6) We need to check everything with God’s Word.
14. God wants you to listen to your parents. (Ephesians 6:1)
15. A Christian cannot marry a non-Christian. (1 Corinthians 7:39)
16. A boy cannot marry a boy and a girl cannot marry a girl. (Genesis 2:24) That is silly. Only when a boy marries a girl can they have children and that is one of the main reasons God established the idea of marriage.
17. God designed boys and girls differently for an amazing purpose. (Genesis 1:27) When God made you a boy/girl he made you that way on purpose with a plan.
18. Trying hard to do something well brings glory to God. (Colossians 3:23-24) On the other hand being lazy is a sin.
19. God hates it when we lie. (John 8:44) Every time we lie we are actually acting like the devil.
20. Life is short. (Psalm 103:15-16) Unless Jesus comes back during our lifetime we will all die soon.
21. God is in control of everyone and everything. (Psalm 115:3)
Much more could and should be added to this list. Dad, mom, how would you extend this list? How much of this list would be new to your kids? Would anything on this list surprise your children?
So, whether we use this list during family worship times, as quiz topics during road trips, or as a list of things to study together, parents, let’s get to work for the glory of God and for the eternal good of our children.
With this in mind what follows is an informal catechism. A list of 21 biblical truths that our children need to know. And because they need to know, they need to hear them regularly. They need to hear them sitting in your house, walking by the way, lying down and getting up (Deuteronomy 6:6–7). They need to hear them in the car, around the dinner table, and before bed. This also means that we, parents, need to be diligent in teachings our children these truths.
The list is not exhaustive or systematic. Much more could and should be taught. Not everything on this list is equally important but everything on this list is necessary for passing on a Christian worldview. Use this informal catechism with this goal in mind.
21 Biblical Truths Your Children Need to Hear Regularly
1. God wrote the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:16)
He guided men to write down exactly what he wanted and because of this there are no mistakes in the Bible.
2. God is invisible but he is more real than anything else that exists. (Acts 17:28)
Nothing else can exist without him.
3. God is triune. (Matthew 28:19)
There is one God who eternally exists as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It’s ok if young children do not understand this as much as they will when they are adults. But this vocabulary will later help them as they begin to organize theological truths in their minds. Hearing this regularly will also help to develop a theological immune system in kids so that they can avoid cults, many of which deny the Trinity.
4. Jesus Christ is truly God and truly man. (John 1:1 & John 1:14) Not half God and half man but fully God and fully man. 100% God and 100% human but one unique and amazing Savior.
5. Every person deserves to be punished by God in hell because of their sins. (Romans 6:23)
6. Jesus Christ died on the cross and then rose again from the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
7. On the cross Jesus took the punishment for the sins of all who would believe in him. (1 Peter 3:18) Jesus is the substitute for and the representative of his people.
8. God gives people new spiritual hearts so they can think and act in a way that glorifies God. (Ezekiel 36:26)
9. Salvation is a gift received by faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9) You cannot earn it. You do not deserve to be saved.
10. Jesus is coming back and will judge the world. (2 Timothy 4:1) For Christians this is great news that should bring joy. For non-Christians this is terrifying news that warns them to seek salvation.
11. The church is a group of God’s people that get together to worship God and help one another follow Jesus. (Hebrews 10:24-25) The church is very important to Jesus and should be very important to his followers.
12. You can pray to God anytime and anywhere. (Psalm 139:4) He hears everything.
13. Not everything you hear, read, or watch is true. People make mistakes and often lie on purpose. (1 John 4:1-6) We need to check everything with God’s Word.
14. God wants you to listen to your parents. (Ephesians 6:1)
15. A Christian cannot marry a non-Christian. (1 Corinthians 7:39)
16. A boy cannot marry a boy and a girl cannot marry a girl. (Genesis 2:24) That is silly. Only when a boy marries a girl can they have children and that is one of the main reasons God established the idea of marriage.
17. God designed boys and girls differently for an amazing purpose. (Genesis 1:27) When God made you a boy/girl he made you that way on purpose with a plan.
18. Trying hard to do something well brings glory to God. (Colossians 3:23-24) On the other hand being lazy is a sin.
19. God hates it when we lie. (John 8:44) Every time we lie we are actually acting like the devil.
20. Life is short. (Psalm 103:15-16) Unless Jesus comes back during our lifetime we will all die soon.
21. God is in control of everyone and everything. (Psalm 115:3)
Much more could and should be added to this list. Dad, mom, how would you extend this list? How much of this list would be new to your kids? Would anything on this list surprise your children?
So, whether we use this list during family worship times, as quiz topics during road trips, or as a list of things to study together, parents, let’s get to work for the glory of God and for the eternal good of our children.