Tell me the story of Jesus.
When I think about the sermons I heard as a child, I thinkĀ of the life of Jesus. Every Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night, Mother and Daddy walked Steve and me across the street, down a short sidewalk, and up the front steps to church. On Sunday mornings especially, I remember hearing the story of Jesus. Sometimes we sang the Fanny J. Crosby song, “Tell Me the Story of Jesus,” and then when time came for the sermon, that’s what we heard.
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels in chorus,
Sang as they welcomed His birth.
Glory to God in the highest!
Peace and good tidings to earth.
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Fasting alone in the desert,
Tell of the days that are past.
How for our sins He was tempted,
Yet was triumphant at last.
Tell of the years of His labor,
Tell of the sorrow He bore.
He was despised and afflicted,
Homeless, rejected and poor.
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell of the cross where they nailed Him,
Writhing in anguish and pain.
Tell of the grave where they laid Him,
Tell how He liveth again.
Love in that story so tender,
Clearer than ever I see.
Stay, let me weep while you whisper,
Love paid the ransom for me.
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Only once do I remember a sermon about specific evilsĀ in the world — you know, things that we heard about in the media. I remember one preacher one time talking against a rock ‘n roll song he didn’t like. I was in college and I disagreed with him — because I was at “that age” and had been “enlightened” in college. If I heard him say the same thing now, I would agree with him.
I’m glad that the regular sermon diet I remember is the story of Jesus. I can’t think of anything more important to teach our children at home. It seems to me that people really knowing the story of Jesus would solve a whole bunch of really serious problems.
I read an article yesterday about an area of the country that is affluent, where parents stay together, where mothers are very involved in the lives of their children, where schools are successful, where teens are serious about academics — and where depression and suicide among teenagers areĀ high. When I shared the articleĀ with Ray, he said that is what happens when you leave God out of the picture. He’s right.
“Jesus is the answer” is not just a bumper sticker or billboard. It’s the truth. It is the single most important lesson we can teach our children, but it has to be a deep and thorough lesson. Thirty years ago parents worried about their children being duped by a modern religious cult. Today there are many things they can be duped by.
One way that childrenĀ are led astray from God’s truth is by knowing too little of it. People with an agenda far different fromĀ faithfulness to Jesus can then use a few familiarĀ words and phrases that sound like the Christianity they heard growing up to lead not-so-well-informed ChristiansĀ intoĀ something very different from what God wants. Paul warned:
See to it that no one takes you captive
through philosophy and empty deception,
according to the tradition of men,
according to the elementary principles of the world,
rather than according to Christ.
Colossians 2:8
Jesus said,
I am the way, and the truth, and the life;
no one comes to the Father but through Me.
John 14:6
Our children need more than an introduction to Him. They need to know Him like they know a member of the family.
Such a simple yet profound truth! I remember when we toured the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, we learned that federal agents are trained to spot counterfeit money by thoroughly studying REAL money. They know the real thing so well, they can easily spot a counterfeit. It’s just the same with studying Jesus and His Word.
That is a good analogy, Betsy.
Amen Charlene! Many people consider our ways a cult and homeschooling brainwashing. What they don’t realize is that we are teaching our children to truly know Jesus and His ways and have a relationship with him. To question their faith only to make their faith stronger. They don’t realize that the rest of the world is being “brainwashed” to believe in themselves rather than relying on the strength of God. No wonder the suicide rate is so high! It’s too much to handle without Jesus! Thank Jesus for being my Savior from all that craziness. I love that song, by the way. It brings me to tears. š
Amen. Well said, Stacy.
“Our children need more than an introduction to Him. They need to know Him like they know a member of the family.”
So well said and so true! We can’t expect the world to teach our children about Jesus and His truths. WE must do it and do it often and well!
You are right, Meredith. We must.