Formation > Information

“Can I have ice cream for a bedtime snack?”
“Do I have to brush my teeth tonight?”
“Why do bad things happen?”
“How do I know God is real?”

Kids are full of questions, and while being ready with an answer is great, some of the most meaningful conversations I’ve had with my son started with a brief pause and: “I don’t know… what do you think?”

God has given us the extraordinary ability to think and reason; however, like muscles, these abilities atrophy without use. If, however, we stretch and challenge these abilities, they will become some of the most valuable and powerful tools your child will ever have.

Our culture is obsessed with answers and with getting to them as quickly as possible, which often means having them at your fingertips, rather than taking the time to think through the question or situation and arrive at a conclusion through logic and common sense.

As parents, we have more opportunities than anyone else to engage and connect with our kids in this process of thinking —not by teaching them what to think, but how to think. Jesus primarily taught using parables and questions —not because He lacked answers, but because He understood how we’re made. He knew that truth discovered through thought and reflection takes root far more deeply than truth simply handed over.

So next time your child asks a difficult question, or why a bag of Cheetos puffs doesn’t count as breakfast, resist the urge to tell them what you think, and instead, see what they think. Who knows, you both may discover a lot more than just the answer they were seeking.

Peace, freedom, and real transformation come when you finally loosen your grip and trust the One who truly holds all authority.