I’ve written previously about the practice we’re attempting to set this year, of reading through the New Testament as a family. We’re a third of the way through and settling into good rhythms, and it’s been worth the time and effort. (Hopefully my kids will agree in a few years, possibly decades.) One of my favorite parts has been seeing the Bible through my kids’ eyes, as they really think about well-known stories and encounters, and read some of the lesser-known for the first time. They don’t have the filters that often come with time and perceived expectations, and their observations are really amazing sometimes and make me re-examine preconceived notions and ideas.
One of the most obvious is their sense of justice. They’re not anesthetized from exposure to the cultural views of class/caste, gender and age hierarchies, etc that were common in that timeframe, and their responses to incidents like the disciples’ attempts to keep the children away from Jesus – confusion over why the disciples would do that, and indignation about the relative status of children – are refreshing. They’re not afraid to speak up when they see things that strike them as unjust.
Another one that’s arisen several times is their willingness to hypothesize about meanings and interpretations. I like having all the answers and “I don’t know”s really bother me, but there are so many things about Scripture that we (I) really don’t understand well. Sometimes the only answer to “what does this mean?” is “I don’t know”, but they’re not shy about making guesses. It’s been so intriguing to see how their brains work and the connections they’re making and hear how they’re processing thoughts and ideas.
That’s not to say that this routine has been an easy one to set up, or that we’re all gung-ho about it. There’s frequently resistance, sometimes from all of us, and distractions abound. But there really are benefits, and not “just” a growing familiarity with the Word of the Lord. When I’m tempted to grow weary of this good but hard work, it helps to be reminded of these benefits.
You and Zack are doing something wonderful for your children and yourselves. We all should be like children, with none of our preconceptions, as we study the Word of God. No matter the obstacles, keep them rooted in the Word. The benefits are everlasting.