Bible Study on Children Teaching Other Children by Their Actions

Children are called, just as adults, to influence their peers for the Lord.

Christians of all ages are called to influence their peers toward righteousness. Children are included in the divine plan of God. Jesus blessed children and used their coming to him as an object lesson to challenge his disciples. He said, as recorded in Mark 10:15, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Children have much to teach each other.

Key Text

Teachers can use Matthew 5:13-16 to challenge kids to influence their peers for the Lord. Jesus used the illustration of salt and light to describe the Christian witness all believers are to possess. Failure to act as salt, Jesus said, makes us "no longer good for anything." Failure to act as light makes us as much a contradiction as a lamp placed under a bowl. Teachers should emphasize that living as a light, as Jesus said, will cause others to "glorify your Father in heaven."

Preservatives

Teachers can use the imagery of salt to help children see how their influence on others can result in saving grace. People used salt in biblical times as seasoning and as a preservative. A teacher might bring in food that contains preservatives and a piece of rotten fruit. They can show the kids that the preservatives help keep the food from getting rotten. It is the same for them. If they will act as "salt" the way Jesus described, their influence can help keep things from getting rotten.

A Lamp

Teachers can cover the windows of their classroom, turn out the lights and light a candle. They can then place the candle on a stand, ladder or in some other prominent place. The children will see how the candle, like the lamp that Jesus described, gives light to the room. The teacher can then place a bowl over the candle or some other object and obstruct the output of light. The room will grow darker. The teacher can then explain that our love for God, good deeds and words can shine and give light to help others. We also can cover our light, but if we do others will remain in the dark.

Motive

Teachers can remind children that the motive for being "salt" and "light" is so that God will get glory from our lives. This is critical. Teachers can point out 2 Corinthians 5:9-10. That passage tells us that we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. We will receive reward and praise from him for the good things we have done. It pleases the Lord and shows that we are truly growing when we do things for God to get glory and not for ourselves.

References

• Holy Bible New King James Version; 1982