Even When He is Old

Last Sunday I was sitting in my office gathering up a few things to take home with me, and I happened to look out the door and see a precious little toddler meandering down the hallway. As she got closer to the doorway she finally looked up, and was mesmerized to see that there was a room with a person in it beyond the end of the hall! She stood in amazement for a moment, and then made a little wave, gave a happy smile, and continued around the corner and down the next hallway, with mother close behind.

A couple weeks before that, I was approached by another little one. This one, being a little older and able to communicate clearer, wanted to tell me all about what she had learned in class that morning. She showed me the pictures she colored, and told me all about the colors she used. She then noticed that I had some papers in my hand too, but they had a lot of words and not many pictures. Soon, it was time for us to part ways, and we both went and sat with our families.

On one Wednesday evening, there were a couple of teenage men who decided that since their teacher wasn’t at class yet, they would start studying their Bibles together until he showed up. Instead of making lots of noise or being distracting to the other classes around them, they decided that they would make use of the time to learn about God and what His Word says. When I found out what they had done, I commended their determination to learn from God’s Word, and told them that I was proud to know Godly young men like them.

God has given us His word so that we can learn from it ourselves and so that we can teach it to others. In that word, God saw the need to enlighten us concerning a principle that most times rings true:

⁶ Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

-Proverbs 22:6

Children are important parts of the Lord’s church. It is wonderful to see little ones who are being taught God’s Word at such a young age, and to see those who are only a few years older acting in spiritually adult ways. Our young people are impressive. Don’t miss a chance to commend them for something they have done well, and don’t turn away from the little ones who want to take a few moments of your time. They’ll remember it, and their interaction with you will help them understand what it means to be part of the church. To all the parents and grandparents who take the time to love their children by teaching them about God, thank you.

⁴ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

-Ephesians 6:4

We encourage anyone looking for the Lord’s church in the Sacramento area to visit the Mariposa Avenue church of Christ! We believe in teaching children and adults what the Scriptures teach, and not a bunch of made up mumbo-jumbo. We do what the Scriptures teach, nothing more, nothing less, and we care about your soul. Hope to see you soon!