Teach Children About God Even With Sunday School Off
Anyone who has attempted to bring little children to church knows the great gift the church nursery and Sunday School offer. Not only does it let us engage more completely in worship, but we also depend on it to help with some of the hard work when it comes to educating our children about God.
While many of us are returning to in-person church attendance, most of the time there is no Sunday School. Not to fret! You don't even need to schedule a specific "Sunday School lesson"—in fact, you can do a great job of teaching your children about God on your own without using a felt board or crafts at all. God's people are commanded in Deuteronomy 6: 6–7 to preserve his lessons in their minds and impart them to their offspring in all spheres of everyday life.
Speaking about God as the one who created everything—including us—and of his immense love for us as his children starts regardless of the age of your kid. Marvel with your kid at the beauty of nature whenever you have a moment—clouds, flowers, animals, trees, stars, and all of the incredible diversity and grandeur of it! The glory of nature has no finite end!
This follows very readily to the expression of appreciation and praise in prayer. Pray everyday; before meals and before bed are natural times to start teaching your kid to bend his head, fold his hands, and express appreciation to God for his goodness and love for us in giving everything that we need. As you support this, explain that we take this posture—bowed head, folded hands, closed eyes, and occasionally kneeling—because we want every aspect of us to express reverence to God—our words, our bodies, and our thoughts!
Seeing and hearing their parents live and talk about their own faith has the most influence on a young child's faith. One of my most clear recollections is of seeing my mother on her knees, Bible open in front of her, praying early in the morning. If you do not already, schedule some time in the day to pray on your own and study from the Bible; this will strengthen your love for and knowledge of God and boost your confidence in approaching your children about him.
God has sent his words to us in the Bible; teach your child that he wants us to know and comprehend him. Reading from God's word aloud will help your youngster come to cherish it. Mealtimes present a natural chance for this; the Psalms are a great place to start but don't stop there! Of course the well-known stories of Noah, Abraham and Isaac, Moses (as a baby in a basket, the plagues, crossing the Red Sea, etc.), Joseph (the coat of many colors, prophetic dreams, etc.), but also some of the less well-known ones such Elijah and the prophets of Balta, Jael and Sisera, the "handwriting on the wall," and one of my favorites, Balaam's ass. You could read straight from the pages of Scripture. See it here.
You just read them aloud to your kids; you don't have to explain them! If nothing else, they will show God's strength and commitment to his people throughout history and let your children realize the Bible has a LOT of fascinating material (and no shortage of wicked people!).
One can aid with this by using an excellent Bible storybook. Of course, some are better than others; you want to make sure the Scriptures are regarded seriously and that the stories unequivocally depict God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit without attempting to explain the Trinity. You may alos read this: Gentle Parenting Strategies Every Parent Should Know
Which leads me to theology and dogma. I would counsel keeping things basic. Every day will offer plenty of natural means to educate your children about sin—the grief and separation that it causes, the need for confession, the always present truth of God's love and forgiveness through Christ, and the delight of rebuilt relationships.
Children don't know and/or can't communicate why they disobey, shout, lie, etc.; so, there is no need to address the "why" of their individual offenses; trying to attach a specific purpose to sin causes needless uncertainty. The key is to let others know that sin causes grief and separation; yet, thanks to Jesus our sin is atoned and we are restored to relationship with God and others. Oh also be sure your youngster sees you repentant of your own wrongdoing as well.
Your children will most likely have some quite serious questions for you as they get older; don't hesitate to express you're not sure, but also be open to discovering solutions for them, perhaps consulting the Scriptures with them, or bringing them to see your minister or priest. Share also with them your own faith; tell them when you became a Christian, what God has done for you, how he has guided you in different situations, and instances of answered prayer.
Not least among things is music. Children like singing; they also need to hear the lovely, easy melodies of songs like Jesus Loves Me and praise songs as well as the more difficult music and theologically profound text of the great hymns. There are several amazing recordings available to assist in your learning of them. Concern yourself not on whether or not your children completely grasp the terms; this will come in handy all through their life as they develop in Christ.
Singing hymns and songs and spiritual songs is beautiful in that the music helps individuals who sing them—including your children—embed the lyrics into their hearts, minds, and souls. These words will return at times of joy, stress, difficulty, and grief for you and them, guiding them to the kingdom of grace and so strengthening their knowledge of all that God has done for them.
They have most certainly already learnt "I like it, I love it, I want some more of it", along with other not especially edifying songs, and they will learn many more with phrases even less benign—you should at least offer some balance!
So start educating your youngster about God on your own even Sunday School is on hold! And when Sunday School starts again, don't stop; weave it into the fabric of your family life.
An awareness of God's love, acquaintance with his word, knowledge of how to approach him in prayer, and songs expressing great truths of God, buried deep in their hearts would be the better present you could possible offer to your children.