Wonder the Big Questions
Bible Verse
The Lord says: Don’t brag about your wisdom or strength or wealth. If you feel you must brag, then have enough sense to brag about worshiping me, the Lord. What I like best is showing kindness, justice, and mercy to everyone on earth. (CEV) Jeremiah 9:23-24
It was my first day nannying, and four-year-old Ellie asked a tough question. It wasn’t “Why is the sky blue?” or “What makes leaves change color?” I could answer questions like those! Instead, this little girl asked me a theological question that scholars and pastors have struggled to answer for centuries. “What’s the Holy Spirit?”
Before I could say a word, Ellie’s ten-year-old sister, Evie, answered with confidence, “It’s God helping you in your heart.”
As my head spun with scripture passages, sermons, and Christian literature, it took the wisdom of a child to answer that question so simply and deeply that her younger sister could understand it. I was speechless for a moment, in awe of the way God opens the eyes of children to know and understand him.
“Why don’t we eat marshmallows for dinner?”
As we circled back to a more “typical” after-school conversation, I reflected on what my younger sisters in Christ had just reminded me: questions are a gift. And they are the root of wisdom! Rather than repeating dull answers, God inspires children to ask meaningful, life-giving questions. How do we adults honor, explore, and delight in questions alongside our children so we can seek God’s wisdom?
- As you read the Bible, encourage your children to use imagination as a tool to encounter God in a new way.
When Jesus fed the 5,000 in Matthew 14, there were children present. Did they go tell their friends afterward? Did they want to follow Jesus?
When Jesus healed children in Matthew 19, how do you think they reacted? What might they have said to Jesus?
Ask questions together! Each week, ask a question as a family and write it somewhere to remind you of it. As the week goes on, explore the question together through reading, discussion, and prayer. Oftentimes, your question will lead to a new, deeper question!
Jesus said the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who make themselves like children, who come to their Father in expectation and wonder. I think I understand that concept better now. When our families seek God’s wisdom, he teaches us how to be his kindness, justice, and righteousness in the world. As you seek God’s truth together, his wisdom will give light to the eyes of your family, and it will shine through to everyone you meet.
Want to do a deep dive? Check out Family Fire's article The Gift of God's Word
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.
