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Faith Topics
The Power of Teachable Moments
A rainbow, a tube of toothpaste, a holiday dinner — how can these ordinary
things be used to teach kids about the Bible? They can all be used to illustrate
a “teachable moment.” The teachable-moment method of faith building
enlightens your children about God in a way that captures their attention and
changes their lives. No lectures. No manuals. No rolling of the eyes. No kidding!
Your children will learn biblical principles that they’ll never forget.
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A “teachable moment” is like creating an on-the-spot commercial
for biblical principles using simple, everyday language and familiar objects.
If you see a beautiful tree growing near a lake, for example, you can point
it out and say to your child, “Isn’t that tree magnificent? God
says that people of faith are like that tree. Trees stay strong because they
grow near the water. People stay strong when they grow closer to God.”
Once you discover the three ingredients
of a teachable moment, you will have a method to make a life-changing spiritual
impact through everyday events. A teachable moment gives you the resources to
make the Bible relevant to your children today, right now, this very moment.
Teachable moments are perfect for working or single parents who don’t
have a lot of free time to build a spiritual legacy. They can be incorporated
into any family routine, no matter how busy. Teachable moments require no preparation.
In fact, they often work best when you’re driving in the car or just having
plain old fun with your kids.
But whenever you do have a chance, also try planning
a teachable moment. Either way, your children will feel affirmed
and will learn biblical principles that they’ll never forget.
— Marianne K. Hering
Adapted from The
Power of Teachable Moments by Jim Weidmann and Marianne Hering, Copyright
© 2004, Focus on the Family. Used by permission.
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