One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.

Matthew 19:13-15 (New Living Translation)

It’s hard to imagine that summer has slipped away once again, yet the start of another school year adds its own season of excitement! Kids get to learn, and so do the parents as their children bring home new books, new concepts, and new activities! Families will be brought together at various events too – from Open House to Fall Festivals to high school football games.

Frankly, I love this time of year! Children are so excited, and their energy level alone makes a Starbucks Venti Americano obsolete! Developmentally, they are wired to absorb information – and, despite how it appears at times, they’ll retain these facts for years to come. Perhaps that’s why Jesus stopped His disciples in their tracks when they tried to turn away the children who’d been brought to see Him.

And notice WHO it was that brought the boys and girls to the Messiah: the parents! Those mothers and fathers knew where the most excellent source of learning could be found, and they weren’t going to miss an opportunity for their children to meet the Christ. There are two important lessons we can take away from this section of Scripture too:

1. Learning about the Lord is the most essential educational experience for our children.
2. Parents are the ones who must take the lead in this faith-building exercise.

Now, this doesn’t mean that the 3 R’s aren’t important – they most

definitely are! But the fourth essential “R” won’t be taught in many schools. That is the RELATIONSHIP with Jesus that leads to salvation.

Years ago I had a lively debate with a relative who felt his children should simply figure out faith on their own. He didn’t want to force anything on them, and he suggested that this “free choice” approach aligned better with modern-day thinking.

Well, he was right about the last part. The “whatever will be, will be” approach is very post-modern – but it is also totally out of line with God’s time-tested guidelines about how to raise children to know Him (we’ll have much more on this when our book Straight Lines for Parents is published in 2012). Yet when I asked him if he’d let them learn reading, writing, and arithmetic in the same manner, he looked at me as if I’d lost my mind and responded, “Of course not!”

“Well,” I replied, “then why would you leave knowing the Lord up to chance? Learning on earth lasts for a short while, but our children’s souls will go on for eternity!”

That discussion continued for several hours, and our family member finally agreed that perhaps a more intentional approach to faith might be better.

Intentionally is the way all teaching must be done! We must teach our children – and teach them well. We can’t leave it up to others – not teachers, Sunday School leaders, youth pastors, or mentors. The parents in Jesus’ day got it right – and they were rewarded with the Lord’s approval and His special blessing for their children!

No matter where you are on life’s journey, you can play a part in this “Back-to-School” paradigm. Keep pointing the kids in your life to the Lord. Live in such a way that they can’t help but see where you’ve put your trust for salvation – and hopefully they’ll want to follow in your faithful footsteps!

We’re so blessed to be part of your lives for another awesome season!

Thought of the Month

Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.

Deuteronomy 6:4-7

Glow in the Dark by Sonkist Ministries on Mixcloud

For those of you who are viewing this on an iPhone or iPad, please listen to our radio shows using the MixCloud iTunes App here. Download the app and then search for “Sonkist” under the “cloudcasts” search option.

As a child, one of the best things about summer was being able to play outside with my friends until sunset. In my neighborhood, we could safely run up and down the street, flying down a slip-and-slide at one end and shooting hoops with the boys at the other. We’d even venture just around the corner to play hopscotch with the twins. From kick-the-can to hide-and-seek, all of the kids on my block relished every moment of those long, lazy days of summer.

Yet, before we knew it, the sun would make its way to the horizon – and just as the first star started to twinkle, the light on my front porch flickered. That’s when I’d hear familiar words from my father or mother, “Rebecca, it’s time to come home.”

Oddly enough, I didn’t mind this ritual. Despite all the fun I was having with my friends, I always kept an eye on my house – wondering when someone would call for me. Some days I couldn’t wait to be with my family and enjoy the comfort home offered at the end of the day. Most of all, I liked the sound of that loving invitation – welcoming me back to where I truly belonged.

Last month our family lost a loved one who went to be with the Lord. Craig waged a lengthy battle with various health issues, and his body finally had enough. And God, in His graciousness, didn’t allow him to suffer. After a few days in the hospital, his Heavenly Father called him home.

During this time, I’ve been reminded of Jesus’ words to His disciples about the season of loss that was headed their direction. Look at what He shared with them in John 14:1-4:

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”

Jesus knew He would soon be returning to His Father and real home, but He didn’t want anyone to worry in the meantime. He would be busy making preparations for our eternal stay! Best of all, He promised to return for us when everything was ready.

Of course, a few of the Lord’s followers didn’t quite get it – and they had some questions. Thomas wanted to know exactly where He was going, and Philip asked to see Jesus’ Father so he’d be more assured in his faith. They had doubts, even after all the time they’d spent in their Lord’s presence.

But Jesus was patient with them – just like He is with all of us. Christ reminded them that He was the only way to the Father (verse 6) – and that belief in Him is needed for salvation (verse 11). In other words, a simple, childlike faith is all it takes.

I know what that childlike faith is like because those loving parents who welcomed me home also taught God’s Word to me. They prayed with me each evening as they tucked me in and turned out the light. My earliest memories aren’t just made up of summer fun – they’re also filled to the brim with moments talking about God’s Son and His beautiful gift of salvation that I happily received.

That’s why today I relish each day the Lord has given me here on Earth – but I am also keeping an eye out for my real home that’s awaiting me. I’m trying to learn all I can about my Father and the family God’s made me part of because of His mercy and grace. And I’ve got my ears listening for that loving call that’s somewhere on the horizon, “It’s time to come home.”

How about you? Do you feel ready to go to your eternal home if God called? If not, then take time to pray to the Lord right now. Don’t let the sun set again without knowing for sure that your sins are forgiven by God’s Son who sacrificed everything on your behalf. And for all of us who are saved, let’s get rid of anything that’s trying to distract us as we continue to run toward home.

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,

calling for you and for me;

see, on the portals he’s waiting and watching,

watching for you and for me.

Come home, come home;

ye who are weary come home;

earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,

calling, O sinner, come home!

Thought of the Month

For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.

Hebrews 13:14

The Armstrong Connection Part 2 by Sonkist Ministries on Mixcloud

For those of you who are viewing this on an iPhone or iPad, please listen to our radio shows using the MixCloud iTunes App here. Download the app and then search for “Sonkist” under the “cloudcasts” search option.

The Armstrong Connection Part 1 by Sonkist Ministries on Mixcloud

For those of you who are viewing this on an iPhone or iPad, please listen to our radio shows using the MixCloud iTunes App here. Download the app and then search for “Sonkist” under the “cloudcasts” search option.