Did you know that children are a gift from God? It’s in the Bible in Ps 127:3, TLB. “Children are a gift from God; they are His reward.”

Can the character of a person be seen as a child? You’ll find the answer in Proverbs 20:11, TLB. “The character of even a child can be known by the way he acts – whether what he does is pure and right.”

Did you know that adults are told to become like children! What could that mean? Find out in Matthew 18:3, TLB. “Unless you turn to God from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.” To become like little children means to be as trusting as a child, to be obedient as a child, to honor God and to be faithful.

Why is it important to learn about God while still a child? Find the answer in the Bible in Ecclesiastes 12:1, TLB. “Don’t let the excitement of being young cause you to forget about your Creator. Honor Him in your youth before the evil years come – when you’ll no longer enjoy living.”

Is it important that children learn what the Bible teaches while they are young? Yes! The answer is found in 2 Timothy 3:15, TLB. “You know how, when you were a small child, you were taught the holy Scriptures; and it is these that make you wise to accept God’s salvation by trusting in Christ Jesus.”

What does God expect of children? Find out in Ephesians 6:1, TLB. “Children, obey your parents; this is the right thing to do because God has placed them in authority over you.

Are parents supposed to discipline their children? Check it out in the Bible in Proverbs 13:24, TLB. “If you refuse to discipline your son, it proves you don’t love him; for if you love him you will be prompt to punish him.”

What is a child’s response to God to be? Find out in the stories of Samuel and Jeremiah. It’s in the Bible in 1 Samuel 3:1,9,10, TLB. “Meanwhile little Samuel was helping the Lord by assisting Eli…So he (Eli) said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if He calls again, say, ‘Yes, Lord, I’m listening.’ So Samuel went back to bed. And the Lord came and called as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ and Samuel replied, ‘Yes, I’m listening.’” Also, in the story of Jeremiah, in the Bible in Jeremiah 1:4-7. TLB. “The Lord said to me, ‘I knew you before you were formed within your mother’s womb; before you were born I sanctified you and appointed you as my spokesman to the world.’ ‘O Lord God,’ I said, ‘I can’t do that! I’m far too young! I’m only a youth!’ ‘Don’t say that,’ he replied, ‘for you will go wherever I send you and speak whatever I tell you to. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I, the Lord, will be with you and see you through.’” God wants us to obey Him when He tells us to do anything in His word, even if we think we are too young!

What kind of example was Jesus in His childhood? Find out in Luke 2:52, TLB. “And Jesus grew both tall and wise, and was loved by God and man.” This is a special verse that tells us that not only did Jesus grow physically in stature and mentally by education, but He grew spiritually in His relationship with His heavenly Father, and He grew socially in good relationship with His peers and adults as well.

There are some great stories to read in the Bible that show how some youth were obedient, even as children and were rewarded by God for it! You’ll find one of them in Daniel 1:3-20, TLB, the story of four young people who were obedient to God and made 10 times smarter than the others!

“Then he (King Nebuchadnezzar) ordered Ashpenaz, who was in charge of his palace personnel, to select some of the Jewish youths brought back as captives – young men of the royal family and nobility of Judah – and to teach them the Chaldean language and literature. ‘Pick strong, healthy, good-looking lads,’ he said; ‘those who have read widely in many fields, are well informed, alert and sensible, and have enough poise to look good around the palace.’ The king assigned them the best of food and wine from his own kitchen during their three-year training period, planning to make them his counselors when they graduated. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. However, their superintendent gave them Babylonian names, as follows: Daniel was called Belteshazzar; Hananiah was called Shadrach; Mishael was called Meshack; Szariah was called Abednego. But Daniel made up his mind not to eat the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the superintendent for permission to eat other things instead. Now as it happened, God had given the superintendent a special appreciation for Daniel, and sympathy for his predicament. But he was alarmed by Daniel’s suggestion. ‘I’m afraid you will become pale and thin compared with the other youths your age,’ he said, ‘and then the king will behead me for neglecting my responsibilities.’ Daniel talked it over with the steward who was appointed by the superintendent to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, and suggested a ten-day diet of only vegetables and water; then, at the end of this trial period the steward could see how they looked in comparison with the other fellows who ate the king’s rich food, and decided whether or not to let them continue their diet. The steward finally agreed to the test. Well, at the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the youths who had been eating the food supplied by the king! So after that the steward fed them only vegetables and water, without the rich foods and wines! God gave these four youths great ability to learn and they soon mastered all the literature and science of the time, and God gave to Daniel special ability in understanding the meanings of dreams and visions. When the three-year training period was completed, the superintendent brought all the young men to the king for oral exams, as he had been ordered to do. King Nebuchadnezzar had long talks with each of them, and none of them impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they were put on his regular staff of advisors.”

Finally there is the story of how God called a young shepherd boy to be king. Find it in 1 Samuel 16:1-13, TLB. “Finally the Lord said to Samuel, ‘You have mourned long enough for Saul, for I have rejected him as king of Israel. Now take a vial of olive oil and go to Bethlehem and find a man named Jesse, for I have selected one of his sons to be the new king.’ But Samuel asked, ‘How can I do that? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.’ ‘Take a heifer with you,’ the Lord replied, ‘and say that you have come to make a sacrifice to the Lord. Then call Jesse to the sacrifice and I will show you which of his sons to anoint.’ So Samuel did as the Lord had told him to. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the city came trembling to meet him. ‘What is wrong?’ they asked. ‘Why have you come?’ But he replied, ‘All is well. I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Purify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.’ And he performed the purification rite on Jesse and his sons, and invited them too. When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, ‘Surely this is the man the Lord has chosen!’ but the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by a man’s face or height, for this is not the one. I don’t make decisions the way you do! Men judge by outward appearance, but I look at a man’s thoughts and intentions.’ Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But the Lord said, ‘This is not the right man either.’ Next Jesse summoned Shammah, but the Lord said, No, this is not the one.’ In the same way all seven of his sons presented themselves to Samuel and were rejected. ‘The Lord has not chosen any of them,’ Samuel told Jesse. ‘Are these all there are?’ ‘Well, there is the youngest,’ Jesse replied. ‘But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep.’ ‘Send for him at once,’ Samuel said, ‘for we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.’ So Jesse sent for him. He was a fine looking boy, ruddy-faced, and with pleasant eyes. And the Lord said, ‘This is the one; anoint him.’ So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the olive oil he had brought and poured it upon David’s head; and the Spirit of Jehovah came upon him and gave him great power from that day onward. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.”