Raising Wonder-filled Kids
Bible Verse
The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what he has done.” (CEV) Psalm 19:1
I often go through the day without noticing the shapes all around me or naming each and every color of all the flowers, but I’m convinced that my niece does. As a busy and curious two-year-old, she observes everything and appreciates the little things. I know she’ll get older and broaden her range of expertise beyond shapes and colors. But I hope she continues approaching the world with a sense of wonder and awe so that she might see God’s hand in everything and everyone.
What if we walked alongside our kids in this journey of wonder? It would make being an adult much more fun. But it would also set an example to learn and keep learning, to not close our eyes to the “boring” but find what makes it fascinating. I think that’s the way God wanted us to look at him and his Word. After all, he said he wants us to “become like little children.” That means having complete faith, trust, and reliance, but it also means opening our eyes a little wider to see his works with awe and wonder.
As a family, try to implement wonder day by day. See if wonder can become a habit that carries through each part of your day.
Morning Start the day as a family with a passage of Scripture and listen to a KC Bible Story Podcast.
Monday: Luke 5:1-11 The Story of Peter
Tuesday: Luke 5:17-25 Jesus Heals A Paralyzed Man
Wednesday: Matthew 14:13-21 Jesus Feeds 5,000 People
Thursday: Mark 4:35-41 Jesus Calms the Storm
Don’t worry about a schedule. Do one each day or one a week. Whatever fits everyone’s schedule best. As you read these Scripture passages, ask your kids to close their eyes and imagine the story. What did the scenery look like? Who was there? How did they feel when Jesus said and did these miraculous things?
After School Ask your kids what they learned at school. What lessons stood out to them? If a topic interests them, do a family Google search or open some books and learn more about it.
Dinner Table Go around the table and share about one person you interacted with that day. Did your kids meet someone new? What did they learn from them? Share your experiences, too! Ask yourselves how you can show neighborly love to these people.
In his book, An Experiment in Criticism, C.S. Lewis wrote, “Who in his sense would not keep, if he could, that tireless curiosity, that intensity of imagination, that facility of suspending disbelief, that unspoiled appetite, that readiness to wonder, to pity, and to admire?”
God made us with a childlike wonder: an excitement to learn about and experience the world he created. Instead of outgrowing it, let’s encourage our kids to see God, his Word, his people, and his world with wonder.
Want to do a deep dive? Check out Family Fire's article Engaging Our Children in Faith
Areo Keller-Donahue
As soon as Areo could pick up a popsicle stick, she was making puppets and putting on plays that shared her faith with her neighbors. Areo grew up with a strong interest in musical theatre and earned her BFA at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Areo was led to use artistic gifts to share the gospel with young ones, and she became involved in ministry. She has worked in children's ministry at Redeemer Upper West Side and North Way Christian Community and is currently developing a musical live-action series that celebrates faith and fun. Areo and her husband live in Pittsburgh, where they enjoy spending time with their families and adorable cat, Daisy.
