How to Talk With Our Children About Spiritual Matters by Mrs. C. C. Lewis

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 4, 1915

How to Talk With Our Children About Spiritual Matters

By Mrs. C. C. Lewis

Practical Problems of Home Makers—No. 6

How to Talk With Our Children About Spiritual Matters

MRS. C. C. LEWIS

Often parents want to talk with their children about spiritual things, but do not know how. And sometimes it is not best. The way is not open. Sometimes we repeat these things in their ears so much that they become wearied, and close their hearts to our efforts. At such times it may be best to let them alone, only loving them, doing nice little things for them, and patiently waiting and praying for a more favorable opportunity. It will come sometime, perhaps when we least expect it.

How to solve this problem is best shown by an example of how others have solved it. Here, for instance, is a dear mother whom I have known for years. She has been successful in rearing some of her children to maturity and in holding them in the love of the Saviour and his truth. In a personal letter she tells of a sweet experience she had with a younger child, and through these columns I shall let her tell her experience for the instruction and encouragement of other mothers:—

“O, how thankful I am that my companion and children are in the truth! It is worth all the prayers and sacrifices that I ever have made, and many more than I ever could make, to have them with me in the truth. I do not know what mothers are like when they think of everything else but the salvation of their children. I know that it helps us to teach our children the right way, to have a verse of the Bible ready to give to them when they ask questions or inquire of us concerning Bible truths. Then if this is so, how important that we mothers know God’s Word.”

“I haven’t been well for several days, and for that reason have been having my little boy help me with the housework. This morning, while we were washing the dishes, we were talking about heaven, and he began asking me questions about what we should have ‘up there’ to make us happy. He said, ‘Will there be any bow and arrows there?’ I said: ‘Why, there will be so many things there so much nicer and better than bows and arrows to play with that we won’t care for bows and arrows. Just think, Jesus says, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” We cannot think of anything and have not seen anything that will in any way compare with the lovely things God is going to give us if we try to do right and ask him to help us.’ My little boy spoke up quickly and said, ‘It is worth trying for, isn’t it, mamma?’ I said: ‘It most surely is.’

“Again he said: ‘Will there be any school there?’. (He doesn’t like to be confined in school.) I first said, ‘No;’ then I said, ‘Yes, there will, too. God will take us through the lovely woods and everywhere, showing us and teaching us about the beautiful things he has made, and helping us through all eternity to understand them.’ His big eyes grew larger, when he said, ‘Through all eternity! Won’t that be nice!’ Then he said, ‘I want to be there. But, mamma, how do we know we shall be saved?’ I said, ‘Jesus says if we are faithful unto the end, we shall be saved.’ Then he said, ‘How near to the end can we be bad, then be good?’ I said, ‘We must be good every day, because we don’t know which day will be the last for us, and if we want to do right, Jesus will help us.’ He said, ‘I want to, I’m sure.’”

“I have had many such talks before with my little boy on these things, but it seemed to me that this morning the Holy Spirit was present and impressed the truth that I in a feeble way was trying to teach my child, and it made us both happy. Then he said, ‘I am going to read the Bible through this year; it is better than a story book.’ O, how these words make our hearts rejoice, when we have tried to do what we could! I pray the Lord to bless the dear children, and may many be led in the paths of righteousness by the words of truth and the influence of the Holy Spirit and the teaching of kind and loving mothers. May the dear Heavenly Father bless you, dear Sister Lewis, in the helpful and unselfish work that you are doing, and may his blessing rest upon us all, is my prayer.”