Is There Value in Teaching Children about Jesus?

How do we help children to withstand life’s challenges and realize their full potential? 

The impact of a good education cannot be overestimated. Learning helps children to grow and flourish. The importance of learning skills like math or literacy is obvious. They need these skills in their day-to-day lives.

Children's Outreach in Kremenets, Ukraine

Other lessons help kids discover their talents and aptitudes and learn essential and practical life skills. Education is a crucial step toward reaching successful adulthood, fulfilling employment, and becoming a contributing, productive member of society. 

Solomon, perhaps the wisest man who ever lived, tells us in Proverbs 22:6 that we should “train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Building Strong Foundations with Life Skills

Children have a remarkable potential for learning. They see the world with wonder and awe. They have open, tender hearts, eager to imitate those around them. They are adaptable and easily embrace new ideas.

The importance of training children from a young age extends beyond language, mathematics, or life skills like patience and problem-solving. We must teach them (and demonstrate to them) how to live with integrity and compassion.  

What we teach children and how we prioritize training the next generation is critical. All experiences impact a child’s life, for better or for worse. But the lessons that develop their worldview and help them internalize a value system will guide the kind of person they become. These are the lessons that impact countless others around them, as well as future generations.

The Eternal Value of Teaching Children About Jesus

Is there value in teaching children about Jesus? Teaching children about Jesus and God's plan for them will instill values such as honesty, humility, integrity, and compassion. The openness of a child’s heart makes them ready to embrace the truth of the Gospel without the skepticism and hardness of heart that often develops later in life.

Children who accept Jesus’ love and forgiveness become more resilient and more prepared for the challenges of life. They see that they are a part of a bigger story and understand that they have been created for a reason. This gives children a strong sense of identity and trust in God that helps them throughout their lives.

These seeds planted in childhood can develop into a life-long relationship with God and shape a generation of adults who are caring, compassionate and filled with faith and trust in Jesus. These adults more easily navigate life with patience, compassion, and unflagging faith a God who loves them.

Jesus talks about the unique and special faith of a child in Matthew Chapter 18, verse 3. He says, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Luke 18:16-17 says this, “But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

The open, easy faith of children is so valuable that Jesus told His disciples that child-like faith was the only way (even for skeptical, distrustful adults) to accept God without fear or hesitation, fully trusting – just like a child.

God makes it so clear in scripture the importance of teaching children about Him. Deuteronomy 6:5-7 says “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”

The Fruit of Holistic Childhood Development

It is not enough to recognize the importance of ensuring that all children receive a holistic education that combines life skills and spiritual knowledge. We all have a sacred responsibility to take part in the education of the next generation. This responsibility is paramount for parents (as written in Deuteronomy), but it is a mission we can all share.

Millions of children around the world do not have access to secular education, practical life skill training, or spiritual truth. When we actively participate in educating children, or providing resources for others to do so, children become able to succeed in life, navigate challenges with integrity, kindness, and faith.

Imagine a generation of young people who can care for their families, manage their responsibilities, resolve conflicts, and also extend compassion, walk in humility, and stand firm in their faith. That is the fruit of teaching both life skills and the love of Jesus during their most formative years.

Conclusion

Children are like freshly planted trees—the earlier they are nurtured with wisdom and truth, the stronger their roots will be. Teaching them practical life skills prepares them to thrive in the world, while introducing them to Jesus gives them hope and purpose beyond this life. When we take the time to invest in both, we give them a gift that will never fade.

 What Mission Partners is doing to Teach Children

This past summer, Mission Partners sponsored camps for hundreds of children in Ukraine, Poland, and Moldova. Here is the story of one of those children.

My name is Pauline. I live in Moschun, Ukraine. Our town is close to Kyiv. Families like mine came here to build nice homes. But three years ago, this became the scariest place on earth. Tanks destroyed lots of homes. Many people left, but my family had nowhere to go. Even now, everywhere I look, it’s just crumbled walls where people’s homes used to be.

Life is hard, but some people care about us. About a year ago, Pastor Sergei started to cook tasty meals in these huge pots for families who didn’t have enough food. I always know when they are driving up to the meeting spot because the food smells so good it makes my stomach rumble.

This summer they invited kids like me to come to camp. Camp was so amazing. The workers were kind and made me feel special. It was the first time I learned about the Bible or Jesus. We had so much fun laughing and playing games. I almost forgot what it felt like to laugh. I haven’t felt that happy for a long time. But now, camp is over. It makes me sad because I wish it could have lasted just a little longer.

They gave me a Bible at camp, but there are many stories in it that I don’t understand. I want to spend more time with the leaders. Maybe they can teach me more about Jesus and show me how to hang onto that feeling of hope in my heart. 

Today, hundreds of children like Pauline are eagerly waiting to attend a Bible Club where loving Christian mentors are prepared to guide them, ensuring that the lessons learned at camp are reinforced and deepened. A local community of believers is ready to welcome these children, love them, and cheer them on as they discover their purpose in Christ Jesus and unlock their full God-given potential!

To learn more about how Mission Partners is investing in the next generation, visit this link

Education and Discipleship for Families