July 15, 2010


Through fun and engaging storytelling, Theo teaches children God’s word and how they ought to live in light of it.

Sunday Schoolʼs favorite word: Faith

Faith. We say the word all the time, but do you actually know what having faith means? The word “faith” comes from the Greek word "pistis,” which means “to believe.” To have faith means to put your entire trust and belief system in something. Because you are putting your entire trust in that entity, it is very important that what you are having faith in is the right thing.

If you tell a kid to have faith, what are you telling them? You are telling them to trust. For example, kids have trust (i.e. faith) in their parents that they are making the right decisions for them and their futures. Kids are known for how trusting they can be, hence why people call pure trust, “childlike faith.”

In todayʼs world, kids have faith in many different areas. They have faith in the school systems to give them a good education which will help them eventually get a job and provide for a family. They have faith in their friends to help them get through tough situations. They have faith in their video games, computers and T.V.s to help entertain their minds. The reason kids put their faith in these relationships or objects is because they are relying on them for a result. Kids trust their parents for protection. Kids trust their friends for encouragement. Kids trust their entertainment for “good times.”

None of the above mentioned things are wrong necessarily, but they have one thing in common...at one point or another-any earthly relationship or possession will fail. Yes, even if a person is the “worldʼs best parent/teacher,” they will at one point or another fall short of their studentʼs expectations or standards. Perhaps a promise will go unfulfilled, or a responsibility may be neglected. Because these things and people will eventually fall short of the faith placed in them, one might wonder, “is there anything that wonʼt break my trust”? Indeed. If you open your Bible to 1 Corinthians 1:9, it says, “God is faithful through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ or Lord.” (NASB version)

God is faithful and He never sins, which means he also never fails our trust. Deuteronomy 32:4 says, “The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.” Itʼs pretty reassuring to trust a perfect person because you know they wonʼt fail.

Not only do we need to have faith in God, the Father, but we must have faith in His Son, Jesus, who laid down His life for the sin of the world. Jesus proved His trustworthiness by making the ultimate sacrifice, giving us the reason to believe. He provided the way to have a relationship with God. In the Bible, John 14:6-7 says, “Jesus said to him, ʻI am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know HIm, and have seen Him.ʼ” (NASB)

How do we develop faith in our children? While that will be explained further in the next couple weeks, the simple answer can be found in Romans 10:16, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (NASB) Faith comes by developing that relationship with God which is done by reading the Bible, praying, and fellowshipping with fellow believers.

Children are very capable of being some of the most faithful members of the body of God, because their heart motives are usually more pure than that of an adult. That is one of the reasons why it is so important to instill faith in the next generation of God Followers.

Sunday School idea: To teach kids a valuable lesson about what itʼs like to have faith in a perfect God here is a good illustration. Grab a solid, sturdy chair. Ask a kid to sit in it. Once the kid plops down in it, ask why they were so quick to trust it. Probably, the answer will be because it had never fallen apart before. The chair had “demonstrated” faithfulness and trustworthiness.

God has proven his faithfulness to us over and over and over in the Bible and in each and every one of our lives. He will never fail us, and He is the only one who is worthy of our faith.

Note: If you are a parent or a teacher, and you want to point kids to the God who will never fail them, you have come to the right place! Theo Presents is dedicated to reaching the world with the Gospel of Christ and we want to help you in your service to Christ! Check out our Web site: www.theopresents.com.


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