Hiding the Word

        We have a book called My ABC Bible Verses: Hiding God's Word in Little Hearts. There is a verse for each letter of the alphabet and a story that illustrates it. Yesterday I read a few of the stories to Peregrine we worked on learning some verses. One of them was "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God." He really latched on to that one and asked God to help him be a peacemaker and not a troublemaker. Later in the day when he was in trouble, he was so upset and said "But I didn't want to be a troublemaker, I want to be a peacemaker!" And another time when he was on the verge of throwing a fit we were able to remind him of the verses he'd learned and God used it to help change his attitude to one of thankfulness instead of fussing. It was exciting to see him express a real desire to do what is right and to see him hiding God's word in his heart where the Holy Spirit can use it in his life.
Children have such an amazing capacity to retain information. We need to be sure that they are putting God's Word into those little minds and hearts. 2 Timothy 3:16 says "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness". There is an excellent chapter in Ginger Plowman's book Don't Make Me Count to Three on using scripture to correct our children and to train them in righteousness. She has also complied a handy flip chart to assist us in finding verses appropriate for addressing our children's hearts (and our own) in many situations.
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12) When we are faithful to deposit God's Word in our children's hearts then the Holy Spirit can use it to convict and teach them. Let us be diligent as we train them up in righteousness.