Today we continue our detailed look at a presentation given by Jill Nelson at the 2007 Children Desiring God Conference entitled “Presenting the Gospel to Children.” In my last post, I introduced the series (including links to both the audio and the handouts. Thus far we have looked at the following:
- Introduction
- Essential Truth #1 – God is the Sovereign Creator of All Things
- Essential Truth #2: God Created People For His Glory
Today we will continue with the next Essential Gospel Truth which kids need to understand to combat false gospels and to understand the true and saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. So, let’s get started. ESSENTIAL TRUTH #3 IS:
God is holy and righteous.
Explanation
In her talk and in the handouts to the talk, Ms. Nelson gives poignant, concise and theological sounds explanations for each of the truth which will work great with kids. I have included my notes of these explanations below, but I would encourage you to listen to and/or read her full narratives as well.
- God is so great that He is unlike anyone or anything else.
- Holy means perfect in every way.
- Righteous means that everything he thinks, says and does is right.
- He has never sinned and never will.
- Because God made us to be like him, we must be holy and righteous too.
- God gave us holy and righteous commands in the Bible, and they are good commands.
- 10 Commandments tell us what kind of thoughts, words, desires and actions are holy and righteous.
- God says people must obey these rules perfectly all the time in order to be holy and righteous.
Illustration
- Compare the difference of not being like something.
- real and fake apple – fake is made to be like the real thing.
- What about the rightness of imposing rules?
- Daddy and Mommy make rules
- like you need to hold their hand in the parking lot
- is that a good rule?
- Make rules because they love you.
- God’s rules are even better – they are perfect
- For older kids
- Ask them what they would do if a four year old wanted to drive a car.
- Is the rule mean?
- Why is it a good thing?
- Review the 10 Commandments
- How does it show God is right and good?
- How is it good for you?
- Daddy and Mommy make rules
Implication
The implication of this truth to kids is:
God’s commands are holy and righteous. You must obey them all of the time.
Scriptural Support
Deuteronomy 32:4
"The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he. [Deuteronomy 32:4 ESV]
Romans 7:12
So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. [Romans 7:12 ESV]
Leviticus 19:2
"Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. [Leviticus 19:2 ESV]
Leviticus 19:37
And you shall observe all my statutes and all my rules, and do them: I am the LORD." [Leviticus 19:37 ESV]