Insights

Often, when teaching students, they will ask, “Why do I have to learn this?” In a high school Sunday school class, the students asked me this question after reading a very long excerpt from Exodus. I understood their frustration because the laws we were reading didn’t necessarily apply to our modern day. My answer was that the laws reveal the nature of God and that our God is just and righteous. One of the most important ways to use scripture to build faith is to reveal the character of God or who God is. The people listed in  Hebrews 11  acted in faith because they knew who God was. They knew His character and His attributes. This knowledge led to faith and that faith led to action. The Bible stories we read to our children should reveal the nature of God. If asked, “Why do we have to learn this?” Show them how God is acting and moving within His nature in the story.  The list in Hebrews has people who acted with faith, but their stories tell more about who God is in their story. Because they knew His nature, they acted in faith.

Because God is the creator, “We understand that the universe was formed.”
Because God is holy, “By faith, Abel brought God a better offering…”
Because God is eternal, “By faith Enoch was taken from this life…”
Because God is omniscient, “By faith Noah, when warned about things not seen…built an ark.”
Because God is omnipresent, “By faith Abraham…obeyed and went.”
Because God is faithful, “by faith even Sarah…bears children.”
Because God is omnipotent, “By faith Abraham…he reasoned that God could even raise the dead.”
Because God is truthful, “By faith Isaac, blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to the future.”
Because God is wise, “By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons.”
Because God is immutable, “By faith Joseph, when his end is near…gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.”
Because God is supreme, “By faith, Moses’ parents …were not afraid of the king’s edict.”
Because God is the King of kings, “By faith Moses, …refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter.”
Because God is infinite, “By faith, people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land.”
Because God is powerful, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell.”
Because God is merciful, “By faith the prostitute Rahab…was not killed with those who were disobedient.”

Let the word of God build both our faith and our children’s faith by intentionally revealing God’s nature as you read. Also, model for them how to make decisions based on faith.  We will be building their faith in the everlasting God.

May our lives tell more about who God is in our story and why we can act in faith.

Leah Rabb
Elementary Education Principal
Logos Preparatory Academy