What Did She Say?

Last Updated on March 11, 2024

“God wouldn’t send anyone to hell; He’s loving. That’s what my friends say.”

I couldn’t believe she had just said that.

My biggest fear had just spilled out of my daughter’s mouth. It was obvious outside influences were pressing on her heart and mind and she didn’t know what was true to combat what was false. Even though she had been taught the truth about salvation from the day she was born, she wasn’t retrieving what God’s Word says. Instead she was grasping onto what others were saying. My girl needed to learn more of God’s Word and as the Bible says, it was up to me to impress it on her.

Those born between 1982 and 2002 make up what’s called the Mosaic generation. Taking bits and pieces from friends, media and their own opinions, they create their own religion of sorts. Maybe you have seen this phenomenon in your child too.

As a mom, this terrifies me! I see firsthand through my own children that an hour-long sermon once a week is not enough to fight hours of media and social networking.

We have to do something. We want to be wise moms raising wiser children!

So I’ve made it a point, as we’re told in Deuteronomy, to look for every opportunity to share God’s Word with my kids. On the way home from practice, while making dinner, even waiting in line at the store … anytime can be a good time to talk about Jesus.

I can’t only depend on these spontaneous times though. I had to find time to read God’s Word to my girls. But when?

If you are like me, life is busy. A look at our family’s schedule made it appear impossible. If I was going to teach my children God’s Word, it meant something had to change.

David’s prayer in Psalm 90 gave me an idea.

[verse reference=”Psalm 90:14″]Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”[/verse]

The morning–one of the rare open spaces in our schedules!

I made the announcement we would begin to eat breakfast together so I could read the Bible to my girls as they ate. To be honest, that didn’t go over so well! “I don’t want to get up any earlier!” was their cry! But with a little compromise here and a tweaking of the alarm clock there, we found a small window to sit down together to read.

David’s prayer to fill the love gap in his heart first thing in the morning became our model. Pouring small amounts of truth into my girls before they hit their school is our priority.

Am I fitting in a chapter of the Bible? No. But speaking a small portion of God’s unfailing love helps prepare them for the trials and temptations they are sure to face each day.

My girls can’t quote large portions of Scripture, but I’ve heard them tell a friend that only Jesus can make them feel important. Little by little truth is sinking in; their lives are reflecting change. As I read, truth sinks into my heart too!

You too can teach a young person in your life God’s Word. It’s doesn’t take half an hour a day. You don’t need to know the Bible inside and out. You just need a few minutes.

Here are a few ideas:

• Have one of your children read out loud on the way to school or right before going to bed.
• Text a verse to a grandchild or a child in your Sunday School class on their cell phone.
• Start a small group with your child and their close friends talking about life and God’s word too!

Remember, the time of the day isn’t important. What is important is finding time and making it a priority.

Lynn Cowell is a Proverbs 31 speaker and author of “His Revolutionary Love; Jesus’ Radical Pursuit of You” and “Devotions for a Revolutionary Year; 365 Days of Jesus’ Radical Love for You.” She is a mom of three – 1 in college and 2 in high school. She lives with her kids and husband of over 25 years in the beautiful state of North Carolina where they love hiking, well-worn sweatshirts and anything that combines chocolate and peanut butter!