
Anyone who has been around kids, either as a parent, aunt, teacher, friend, whatever, knows that they can ask some seriously challenging questions. Maybe you hadn't had your morning coffee yet or maybe you weren't feeling well, but the answers sometimes seem to not be there. Well, I have definitely been there myself. I came across a great article in Children's Ministry magazine that gives some expert advice on some tough God questions. Here is a sampling of the article:
~"Why does prayer sometimes work and sometimes doesn't?"~
"Teach kids the truth about prayer. It's not a "gimme" list or bargaining chip or quick fix. Prayer is time spent talking with and listening to God" -Kandi Elliot
"Prayer isn't like a Christian rabbit's foot-rub it and get your wish. Prayer is communication with God who sees the big picture in our lives. Sometimes we don't get the answer we want because God knows it wouldn't be good for us. Other times people who aren't following Jesus do things that affect us. God won't make them so the right things. Everyone has the free will to make bad choices, even if we pray that they won't. But we know Jesus is always with us when we walk through difficult, hard, or hurtful places." -Marlene LeFever
~"I have lots of friends who aren't Christians. Is that wrong? Does it make God mad?"~
"We can't be a light to the world if we hang out only with other lights. God wants us to be friends with people who need him so they can see Jesus in us. No matter how small your light is, when you go where there isn't much light, yours will seem bright!" - Karl Bastian
"I think that God is thrilled that you're a great friend. Jesus hung out with people who weren't Christians-and the people loved to hang out with him because he loved them and told them about God. You can be like Jesus too when you hang out with your friends just by loving them and telling them all of the great things you know about God!" -Amy Dolan
I will add some more of these wonderful questions and answers weekly. What do you think about them?