I once stood by the Rhone River in Basel, Switzerland, watching the swift current. On this river was an unusual ferry. Concrete pillars on each side held the strong steel cable to which the ferry was attached. Without an engine, the ferry simply turned slightly to one side or the other to allow the currents themselves to propel it to the other side. Successfully arriving on the other side depended on those faithful cables. Otherwise, the ferry would be carried downstream.

Consider the importance of that cable, and then think about this: God's Word is such a cable for our children. If they are ever going to renounce "ungodliness and worldly desires" and follow Christ (Titus 2:12), they must hear the truth. We must apply what the Apostle Paul makes lucid through a series of questions in Romans 10:

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? . . . So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. (vv. 14, 17)

Faith depends upon the facts of Christ's saving work. As parents, grandparents, pastors, and teachers of children, we are obligated to make these facts as clear as possible. A child's real understanding of the gospel is in God's hands (cf. Romans 9:16), but our children cannot believe unless they hear the truth. They should grow up breathing biblical air! Like the inviting smell of a home-cooked meal permeating the home, so the Word of God should fill every room.

Notice how important facts are to the Apostle Paul. He reminded the Corinthians, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished" (1 Corinthians 15:17-18). Salvation depends upon the "fact" of the resurrection. Objective truth is essential in the salvation of our children.

Think of it like this: Genuine faith will always involve reliance upon the biblical Christ. If the integrity of the message about Christ is compromised, children may put their faith in something other than the true Savior—that is, "another Jesus" and "a different gospel" (2 Corinthians 11:4).

Let's be practical about this by thinking through three obvious implications for those of us who have, or minister to, children.

First, we must grow in our own knowledge of the Bible. How familiar are you with the content of Scripture? The Bible contains all of the words of God that we need in order to know about salvation from sin and godly living. For the eternal joy of your children, turn off the television and start reading.

Second, we must become increasingly familiar with the content of the gospel itself. I'm not speaking about just knowing a few key verses, but thoroughly understanding the good news our children so urgently need. Again, regular Bible reading is the most effective means of growing in the knowledge of the gospel. Also, you may wish to purchase a solid systematic theology and to study thoroughly the sections on the character of God, the nature of man, and the person and work of Christ.¹

Third, we must proclaim to our children the content of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Foundationally, we will want to show them how the whole Bible fits together. Help them see that there is a path to Jesus Christ anywhere one touches down in the Bible.² Specifically, we should spend countless hours teaching the gospel itself. Do those children God has entrusted to your care know much about the Son of God who came into this world to save sinners?

I could not help but think of our western culture that day as I watched the ferry on the Rhone River. The "current" of our culture is moving very fast in the wrong direction. We have the sober responsibility as parents and leaders of children to do all we are capable of doing to fasten our children's small hands to the cable of the Word of God. Yet, sadly, there are many parents who do nothing for the salvation of their children. They throw them in the river with no consideration of the Word. And then that insensible parent wonders why their precious children have been carried away by the culture.

A child's only hope is the gospel of Christ. We must do everything within our power to present the Word, and the Christ this Word portrays, as the reliable "cable" to take our children safely to the other side.

____________________

By Jim Elliff Click here for bio and archived articles