We are Strong with God

Hello, Bridge family. I hope you all are doing well and having a wonderful summer! This week in the Bridge, the kids learned that we are strong with God. If we are all honest, it is a complex message to grasp, especially for a child. If not taught correctly, it can lead to disappointment and regret, and that disappointment may be projected onto God. So let’s look at two points to guide the discussion, hopefully helping our children understand what it means to be strong with God.


First, our ability to be strong with God hinges on understanding that God’s strength comes when we do what God has called us to do. Take a look at this week’s story. It’s about Gideon in Judges chapter 6. God has called Gideon, who considers himself the lowest of the low, to lead the nation of Israel out of bondage to the Midianites. When Gideon questions God about whether God has the right guy, the Lord responds, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man (v. 6:16).” God doesn’t give us anything He can’t handle. That will probably raise the question of what has called me to do, which leads to my second point.


The Apostle Paul writes that we are to put on the whole armor of God (Eph 6). If you take a look at them, you will notice that most are defensive. That is not to say they don’t provide God’s strength to endure, but most children, and indeed most adults, associate strength with the ability to take the offensive. Let’s just look at one component of the armor that is an offensive weapon, “take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (v. 6:17).” Now, to be clear, you need the whole armor of God. No one piece is more significant than the other, but if we want our children to hear from God and be strong in God’s power, then we must allow the Spirit of God to reveal the Godhead to our children through the word of God. When we do, we are providing our children with God’s strength to hear and the courage to step out when called by God, and to ward off the temptations of this world, whether seen or unseen.


Bottom line: Read the Bible with your children and share with each other what you observe from what you have read, asking what God is doing in the story. How does God do the same thing for us, only better in Jesus? How does this good news change how we live?*


Remember, as long as your child is at home, you have a wonderful opportunity to share the Bible. Together, explore its stories, discuss how they relate to daily life, and encourage deeper family conversations. This makes faith an exciting and meaningful journey. God bless. I look forward to seeing your family on Sunday.


Pastor Bob


· From the book “Show Them Jesus” by Jack Klumpenhower.