At the beginning of the year, we knew it was important to focus on God’s character before we taught the children about God’s promises. How could they put their trust in God they do not know? How can they trust that God would keep His promises if they do not know who He is? Last year we taught the kids about the Character of God based on Exodus 34:6b-7a:
“The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin (righteousness)”
The children who previously attended our programs have a foundational understanding about who God is and it is easier for them to put their trust in God as they know He is faithful and always keeps His promises.
This summer, the kids demonstrated their knowledge of God’s promises by practically applying it to their everyday lives. At Kingston-Galloway, the kids were blessed to have the opportunity to go treetop trekking for the first time. Many were overcome by fear but in the midst of their fear, they encouraged each other with God’s promises. One young boy said, “we don’t need to fear because God is always with us, especially when we are scared. Isn’t that right”? The truth that God was always by their side eased their anxiety and gave them the confidence to continue through the course. The children knew that they could put their trust in God who is faithful in keeping His promises.
This year we hope to teach the kids about God’s promise of eternal life through the parable of the rich young ruler. This young man wanted to know how to receive eternal life which is something our kids want to know as well. He thought that he had to do a good deed to earn his way to heaven, but the bible makes it explicitly clear that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”
~ Ephesians 2:8-10
There is nothing we can do to earn our salvation as it does not solve our sin problem. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). God’s standard is perfection and it is impossible for anyone to keep all of God’s laws and commands. We do not need to be in despair as the rich young ruler who went away sorrowful because he thought it was impossible to have eternal life.
The parable continues with the disciples asking the question “who can be saved”? Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). As believers we have the assurance of salvation that even when we make mistakes and fall into sin we are forgiven if we ask. The rich young ruler did not understand that eternal life is a gift from God.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
God loved us so much that He did not leave us in our sin but sent His son Jesus to pay the penalty of our sins. Jesus’ Salvation is a gift that is freely given but we must accept Him as our Lord and Saviour. We receive eternal life when we put our faith and trust in Jesus. “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
God’s promise of eternal life gives us hope for the future. We can look forward to spending eternity with our father in heaven. In Revelations 21:3-4, John describes a new heaven and earth,
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away”.
This promise of eternal life gives us hope through difficult times as we know that our pain and suffering here on earth are temporary. The knowledge that our lives are short in light of eternity should encourage us to make our lives count by making Christ’s name known. The rich young ruler loved his possessions more than he loved Jesus so he decided not to follow Him. Jesus asks us to be willing to give up everything and follow Him because He is ultimately the only one worth following.
Eternal life is found exclusively through Jesus. It is received by repentance and believing in Jesus. It is a gift of God’s grace that we do not deserve but must choose to receive. It is an everlasting relationship with God in heaven. As believers, we have the assurance of salvation as God promises eternal life to all who believe. We pray that our kids, youth and families will receive the gift of eternal life by accepting Jesus as Lord and saviour.