In Scripture classes in a government primary school I teach children about God. They are ‘by-and-large’ agreeable and willing to learn.
The Teacher’s Manual suggested an exercise to undertake. I followed that suggestion and the results were interesting, surprising and at times concerning, being reflective of their world. This was a composite class of two different grades of 10 and 11 year-old boys and girls.
The exercise
Distribute a sheet of paper to each child inviting them to anonymously ask any question they liked about God, to take their time, and not identify themselves. During the remainder of the year I would answer every question.
Probably out of habit some questions came back with names recorded. When answering those questions however, I never let on that I knew the identity of some questioners.
Most importantly, I wanted my answers to be informative for these young inquirers.
Some questions in particular revealed the age of the questioner, and each of them told me something about their thinking in an era so vastly different from over 55 years ago when I was their age, yet they live in the same world as my 11 and 13 year old grand-daughters.
Some searching questions
Firstly
What does God look like, what does He wear?
Is God a boy or girl or transgender?
Is God up in the latest style - moustache, goatee etc?
Does God have a beard?
Secondly
How did He get here?
Who made God?
Why and how was God made?
Is He real?
How has God always existed?
How did Jesus come back alive?
Thirdly
What can He do?
How does God help us out with things?
If you ask God for something will He do it for you?
Can God really talk?
How did God create the world in 7 days?
How did He make grass, trees, people, animals, food?
How did He make us?
How many people has He fixed?
Fourthly
Is Santa secretly a shepherd and gives us presents like the shepherds gave presents to Jesus?
Can you see God in heaven?
Why am I here again?
Is God ever wrong? And if so, what mistake has He made?
Do You love me?
Does God really love us?
Why did God create us?
Why did God make me?
Why did God make life complicated?
Did God create the whole universe?
Is Adam and Eve all of our ancestors?
Where is the secret garden where Adam and Eve lived?
The questioners
Many questions called for a serious answer although a few were perhaps a little ‘out there’, but all were nevertheless significant enough to inquiring young minds, to be asked.
Sadly, a notable number of these children came from single-parent families where dad no longer lived at home (early in the year the teacher and I conducted a ‘hands-up’ survey), and very few attended Sunday school or church. I knew there was no spiritual input into most of their lives.
The school teacher was always in the classroom and a very cooperative, friendly professional relationship was at all times maintained between us.
Questions that ‘caught my eye’.
Does God really love us?
A big YES to this one. Not because we are good for (regrettably) we are sinful, fallible people, but because of His love and graciousness towards us.
God so loved the world [i.e. so much] that He “gave” His one and only Son to the world, that “whoever” believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John chapter 3 verse 16).
He loved those at the time, and loves all those who came after Jesus including you and me. Everyone who lived before He entered our world, were also loved by Him equally, tenderly and justly, but they had to respond differently to the limited revelation they received because of the prior timing of their birth.
They could still enjoy the blessings of warmth from the sun, stars and the rain, crops growing in season, and could wonder about and respond to creation and their Creator.
Why am I here…again?
The father of this lovely young girl is a Hindu whose religion teaches reincarnation, a belief system that is completely contrary to the truth of Scripture.
After I informed the class of the following words from Hebrews chapter 9 verse 27 that: man is destined to die “once” and after that to face judgment (and for the Christian, to receive ecstatic reward), she approached me upon leaving the classroom.
With what I thought was a look of relief on her face, she thanked me and gave me a quick hug. This was the highlight of that lesson.
Why did God make life complicated?
When I read that question to the class, a hand immediately shot up followed by: ‘He doesn’t. We do’. So came deep wisdom from the ‘mouth of babes’.
From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise. (Psalm 8 verse 2). The world is not in a state of accelerating spiritual and emotional decline because of God but because of mankind. Not His fault but ours.
At least one of these precious young people is an only child with mum and dad having recently separated (as advised quietly by the teacher), presumably after numerous heavy arguments.
That child’s security and happiness is now under permanent complication, strain and threat. The young anger and rebelliousness sometimes comes out.
What’s needed?
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding. In “all” your ways “acknowledge” Him and He “will” make straight your paths. (Proverbs chapter 3 verses 5 & 6).
Gavin Lawrie is a retired Barrister and Solicitor from Tweed Heads NSW Australia and author of the book: 'THE EVIDENCE OF EVOLUTION: Uncovering The Faulty Science Of Dawkins' Attack On Creationism'. He is married to Jan with two adult children and they are grandparents.
Gavin Lawrie's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/gavin-lawrie.html
Gavin Lawrie is a retired Barrister and Solicitor from Tweed Heads NSW Australia and author of the book: 'THE EVIDENCE OF EVOLUTION: Uncovering The Faulty Science Of Dawkins' Attack On Creationism'. He is married to Jan with two adult children and they are grandparents.
Gavin Lawrie's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/gavin-lawrie.html