“The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.” – 1 Samuel 3:1.
Samuel was only a child, a very young boy when he heard the Lord’s voice for the first time.
It was a sight to behold and something we all wish could happen for our children.
But there was a problem with Samuel; he did not know the voice of the Lord and, as a result, missed God on three occasions and went the opposite direction. See it below:
“One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place.
3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was.
4 Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.”
5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am you called me.”
But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So, he went and lay down.
6 Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am you called me.”
“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am you called me.” – 1 Samuel 3:2-8.
Samuel could have missed out on the assignment God had for him, but fortunately, Eli; the priest, came to his senses and instructed Samuel to do the following:
“…. Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy.
9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So, Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” – 1 Samuel 3:9-10.
God can speak to our kids, but we need to help and guide them as Eli did to Samuel.
One of the best ways to help our children know God and build an intimate relationship with Him is by exposing them to the holy scriptures early in their lives.
You know the story, Samuel turned out to be a great man of God, but more so, he was a powerful instrument for the Lord, even though he was only a young child.
Likewise, your sons and daughters can be used mightily by God. But…
You will need to expose them to the holy scriptures as soon as possible in their youth, and the best way to do this is to start them off with short bible verses that they can easily remember. Here are a few:
Short Bible Verses for Kids to Memorize
John 11:35
“Jesus wept.“
1 Thessalonians 5:16
“Rejoice always”
Phippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Hebrews 13:8
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Colossians 3:20
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”
Acts 16:31
“They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.’”
1 John 4:19
“We love because he first loved us.”
Colossians 3:2
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
Luke 6:31
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Psalm 119:11
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
Proverbs 18:10
“The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
1 Chronicle 16:11
“Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.”
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers all wrongs.”
1 John 4:19
“We love because he first loved us.”
Matthew 28:20
“I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
The Lord wants to have a relationship with our children. Relationships are important to the Lord, especially those relationships with our kids. Children hold a special place in our Lord’s heart.
Throughout scriptures, we will find that the Lord intends to reveal himself to children the same way He would to adults. As such, we must ensure to offer them the best opportunity to discern the Lord.
Scriptures of God calling children to know Him
” But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 19:14.
“Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.” – Psalm 2:8.
“And they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise?” – Matthew 21:16.
“… I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.” – 1 John 2:14.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6.
“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” – Isaiah 54:13.
“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.” – Proverbs 1:8-9.
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” – Jerimiah 1:5.
The Lord truly desires to have a good relationship with our kids, but it is up to us to guide them until they grow in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the Lord and His ways.
Finals Thoughts
Children are the Lord’s heritage, and it is our duty to introduce and connect them to God as soon as possible by exposing them to the scriptures.
On the contrary, failure to do can permanently ruin our kid’s destinies and cause them to miss out on all the goodies God has in store for them if we fail to introduce them to God early.
“Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him (Psalm 127:3).