![\"\"](\"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Saturate.png\")
<\/p>\nRecently, her little brother was trying to climb on the couch to pester his sister when Maite\u0302 pushed him down. He bonked his head on the floor. She immediately got reprimanded for it, and while being disciplined, she started to sing, \u201cDon\u2019t let them in. Don\u2019t let them see. Be the good girl you always have to be.\u201d I was not about to miss a great opportunity to debunk one of Disney\u2019s greatest myths and share the gospel of Jesus with her. I looked at her, and the following conversation took place:[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”\u201cMaite\u0302, did you know this song is not true? Nobody is good.\u201d” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:100%25|text_align:left|color:%23000000|line_height:1.2″ google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1599068676365{margin-bottom: -10px !important;padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”\u201cMom, Elsa is good!\u201d” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:100%25|text_align:left|color:%23000000|line_height:1.2″ google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1599068689144{margin-bottom: -10px !important;padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”\u201cNo, sweetie. She isn\u2019t. Nobody is good, not even Elsa. Does she always treat her sister kindly?\u201d” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:100%25|text_align:left|color:%23000000|line_height:1.2″ google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1599068700596{margin-bottom: -10px !important;padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”\u201cNo, she doesn\u2019t.\u201d” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:100%25|text_align:left|color:%23000000|line_height:1.2″ google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1599068968100{margin-bottom: -10px !important;padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”\u201cElsa does not always do good things. Her heart is not always good, and her actions are not always good. Are you a good girl?\u201d” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:100%25|text_align:left|color:%23000000|line_height:1.2″ google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1599068981959{margin-bottom: -10px !important;padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”\u201cYes, I am.\u201d” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:100%25|text_align:left|color:%23000000|line_height:1.2″ google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1599068992544{margin-bottom: -10px !important;padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”\u201cNo, sweetie. You\u2019re not.\u201d” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:100%25|text_align:left|color:%23000000|line_height:1.2″ google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1599069006439{margin-bottom: -10px !important;padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”\u201cYes, Mom, I am!\u201d” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:100%25|text_align:left|color:%23000000|line_height:1.2″ google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1599069017530{margin-bottom: -10px !important;padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”\u201cMaite\u0302, did you just get mad at your brother and push him down the couch?\u201d” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:100%25|text_align:left|color:%23000000|line_height:1.2″ google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1599069037759{margin-bottom: -10px !important;padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”\u201cYes, I did.\u201d” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:100%25|text_align:left|color:%23000000|line_height:1.2″ google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1599069048683{margin-bottom: -10px !important;padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”\u201cIs that a good thing to feel and do?\u201d” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:100%25|text_align:left|color:%23000000|line_height:1.2″ google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1599069057997{margin-bottom: -10px !important;padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”\u201cNo, Mom.\u201d” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:100%25|text_align:left|color:%23000000|line_height:1.2″ google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1599069065962{margin-bottom: -10px !important;padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”\u201cThe only person who actually has a good heart and does good things is Jesus. Nobody else in the world is good.\u201d” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:100%25|text_align:left|color:%23000000|line_height:1.2″ google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1599069072004{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}”][vc_column_text]She just stared at me, moved on, and kept singing her song.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” top_padding=”40″ text_align=”left” el_id=”deux”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_custom_heading text=”They Need the Gospel” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:125%25|text_align:left|color:%23000000|line_height:1.2″ google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1599069095100{margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Often, we think children can\u2019t understand the messages around them, and that includes theology and the message of the gospel. Sometimes we try to bring it \u201cdown to their level\u201d with arts and crafts and Bible songs, when in reality, all they need is a message that says, \u201cYou need a Savior, and Jesus is the only one.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n The world is already teaching our children all sorts of gospels:<\/strong> the gospel of \u201cyou deserve,\u201d the gospel of \u201cyou need,\u201d and the gospel of \u201cif you behave well and do good things, you are a good person, and life will go well for you.\u201d Children understand concepts of right and wrong and good and bad at an early age.<\/p>\n Their cry tells us they are not happy about something. Their laughter gives us joy, and for a follower of Jesus, the reality that our children understand the gospel of Jesus Christ fills our hearts and brings tears of joy to our eyes. In the journey of discipling our children, I have found a few things that help them understand who this Jesus is in whom Mom and Dad believe. It is our hope and prayer that through these conversations, they will love and discover Jesus for themselves.[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”May we always remember that the simple and pure work of God starts in the simple and pure of heart.<\/em>” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:125%25|text_align:left|color:%2338559b|line_height:1.5″ google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” top_padding=”40″ text_align=”left” el_id=”trois”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_custom_heading text=”Helping Them Understand” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:125%25|text_align:left|color:%23000000|line_height:1.2″ google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1599069186551{margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]1) Keep it simple and short<\/strong> The gospel of Christ is for the little ones. May we always remember that the simple and pure work of God starts in the simple and pure of heart.<\/strong> In the words of Jesus, \u201cO Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!\u201d (Matthew 11:25b\u201326).[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”This article was previously published on the Saturate blog. Used with permission. \u00a9 Saturate 2018.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:80%25|text_align:left|color:%23848484|line_height:1.2″ google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1599070048087{margin-top: 60px !important;margin-bottom: -30px !important;}” link=”|||”] En 2011, un groupe de chr\u00e9tiens a d\u00e9cid\u00e9 de donner une banni\u00e8re publique \u00e0 son d\u00e9sir d\u2019aimer son prochain. \u00c0 ce jour, plus d\u2019une douzaine d\u2019\u00c9glises qu\u00e9b\u00e9coises ont d\u00e9j\u00e0 exp\u00e9riment\u00e9 l’int\u00e9gration de cette approche pour atteindre leur propre micro-champ missionnaire.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":8345,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-8341","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-shining-forth"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8341","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8341"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8341\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8357,"href":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8341\/revisions\/8357"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8345"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8341"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8341"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8341"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nI am really good at \u201cpreaching\u201d to my kids, especially to my six-year-old. When I get on \u201cthree-points\u201d mode, I am pretty sure all she hears is her voice saying, \u201cWhat do I need to say to make Mom stop talking now?\u201d I have found it is in the short, direct, and simple day-to-day conversations that she has a clearer glimpse of Jesus.<\/strong> If you find yourself \u201cpreaching\u201d at your child for more than one minute, you\u2019ve lost their attention.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]2) Enter their world and use words they understand.<\/strong>
\nMy oldest admires Rosa Parks, so a lot of our conversations about the gospel involve Rosa Parks, the desire she had to bring justice, and how she stood up for what was right, even when everyone around her was complying to the law of the time. We often talk about how God is a God who loves justice and wants to see broken things made right. Sometimes I think she understands, and I always wonder how amazed she will be when she fully comprehends the depth of the justice and righteousness Jesus brings to our lives, both here and in eternity.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]3) Use the Bible.<\/strong>
\nThe Bible is key. It is the word of God that has the power to transform our lives, and we must use it. The New Living Translation is an \u201ceasy read\u201d for older children, and The Jesus Storybook Bible<\/a><\/em> [also available in audio format<\/a>] is a great resource for younger minds. We have used multiple stories from The Jesus Storybook Bible<\/em> in daily conversations with our children, and it has helped bridge the understanding of their current reality and the impact of the gospel in it.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]4) Remember that Jesus is present in every moment of your life and of your children\u2019s lives.<\/strong>
\nI have found that telling my children that Jesus is with them in their daily lives at school, while they are sleeping, while they are playing with their friends, or simply while they are watching a show is comforting in times of fear and distress, and convicting in times of repentance. The Spirit does the work in our lives and in our children\u2019s lives, and more often than we think, their hearts are extremely tender to His voice.<\/strong> Encourage your children to speak to Jesus (without you being the mediator) because He listens.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” top_padding=”40″ text_align=”left” el_id=”trois”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_custom_heading text=”Childlike Faith” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:125%25|text_align:left|color:%23000000|line_height:1.2″ google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1599069480874{margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]When I was having the conversation earlier with my daughter, my husband overheard it and later on commented on my directness with Maite\u0302. I have found that speaking to our children about Jesus and speaking to Jesus as if He is in fleshly person in our house helps them and us live our lives with an awareness of His presence, His doing, and His love for us.<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/0075-Mirela-Watson.jpg\")
<\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”3\/4″ column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Mirela Watson<\/strong> is a gospel shepherd, missional community leader, and translator for The Bible Project. She lives in Los Angeles, California and serves at Soma Culver City alongside her husband, Brad Watson and spends much of her time raising and loving their three children. She’s also pursuing a certificate in biblical counseling from CCEF.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/6″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” bg_image=”7962″ bg_position=”center center” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” parallax_bg=”true” parallax_bg_speed=”medium” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”left-right” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/4″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][\/vc_column][vc_column centered_text=”true” column_padding=”padding-8-percent” column_padding_position=”top-bottom” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/2″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_custom_heading text=”QU\u00c9BEC NEEDS PRAYER PARTNERS! PRAY THAT GOD WOULD SEND WORKERS IN THE MISSION FIELD, INCLUDING IN FAMILIES!” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|color:%23ffe933″ google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” link=”|||” css=”.vc_custom_1599073601506{padding-top: 10% !important;}”]