Training Up Children and Pulling out Potential

Potential: latent excellence or abilities that may be developed and lead to future success or usefulness; capable of being or becoming

Proverbs 22:6 (Amplified) "Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift], and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Matthew 19:14 (Amplified) "Leave the children alone! Allow the little ones to come to Me, and do not forbid or restrain or hinder them, for of such [as these] is the kingdom of heaven composed!" 

Kids have always been great commodities- both in Jesus' day and in the present.  Kids have amazing potential inside of them just aching to burst out! When the adults in Jesus' day tried to keep the kids away from Him, they felt like the kids were just a nuisance and a bother, but Jesus said to leave them alone, to NOT hinder them or restrain them from coming to Him because THEY are the kingdom of heaven!! 

Years ago, I attended a local Bible college with a focus in Children's Ministry because kids are my heart- they are my passion! I love kids! I believe that when the Bible says to train up kids, it's not JUST talking to parents. I believe that all adults in the lives of children- parents, teachers, ministers, etc- are responsible for guiding them to be the best adults they can be! 

When we have the assembly every month at the kids' school, the whole student body stands and says the Pledge of Allegiance (the right way) and they recite their student creed:

I am a  (School Name) Elementary School student.

I have great expectations for myself.
I accept the challenge to become the best that I can be.

I am a bright person.

I am unique and special.

I am responsible for my actions.

My family and teachers will help me in what I become.

The education I receive today will make me a leader for tomorrow.

Every single time that I hear those 300(approx) students collectively speak these things over themselves, I am moved to tears! EVERY.SINGLE.TIME.  These kids ARE unique and special. In the scripture that says to train them up, the Amplified version goes as far as to say "in keeping with his individual gift"... I believe every child has a gift inside that WE as adults are responsible for pulling out of them!

Every Friday, I help in Xander's classroom, and I'm in awe of the children!!  I see the kids in his classroom- so very unique and special- each with his own very individual abilities and personalities. I have mentioned to his teacher, Mrs. L, that I feel a sense of ownership in the class. I feel like these 16 students are "my kids!"  Some are very quiet, and some are VERY loud; some are focused on the tasks given, and some can't seem to focus at all; some like to give hugs, and some stay far away; some smile a lot, and some cry a lot (sadly...); some are disciplined, and some NEED discipline!

Each child has so much to offer! I look at these kids and wish I could do more for them- more to help bring out the potential in each of them. There is one child in particular that I pray for on a regular basis; this student has a very sweet heart, is very caring, and kind, but struggles often with focus and rules. I see SO much in this kid... in fact, it is this kind of personality that will make a GREAT leader one day. This student inspired this blog post... it is because of this student that I am striving every day to be one of the adults in his/her life that will help train up in the way he/she should go (in keeping with individual gifts) so when older, he/she won't depart from it!

Xander's teacher once said, "How can I teach these kids and really know them without knowing their love language? I need to know what moves them in order to reach them." She had each student take a Love Language questionnaire so she could fully know what is important to them. For example, if a child's love language is "Words of Affirmation," they will crave compliments and verbal props ("I love your shoes!" or "You did great on that test!").  SO his teacher's goal was to get to know each kid on such a level that she could not only teach them, but also to minister to their needs- their love language! I LOVE this... because it's just like the scripture says- we need to train them up according to their own individual gifts! I love that she is recognizing each student's gifts and using that to better train them up! 

I believe I need to live my Christian life OUT LOUD for the world (especially the kids) to see. I want the next generation to grow up knowing God, and knowing how to love, and behave, and respect. I want them to see it in me. I want to help train up ALL kids in the way they should go- not just these four amazing kids that God gave me and Tim, but every single kid I come across.

Flashback to the 80's:  Whitney Houston (1985)
"I believe the children are our future; Teach them well, and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Give them a sense of pride to make it easier. Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be!"