Raising very young to love Jesus

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MariaJoy01

Junior Member
Nov 17, 2017
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#1
I'm a young mom with a one year old. My daughter enjoys some TV shows and can recognize the characters but I really want to cultivate a love for God and Jesus. We have some Bible Stories and Christian books but does anyone have recommendations? I've been looking to get a plush Jesus doll for her. Not sure what else to do other than going to church.
 
Feb 7, 2015
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#2
One suggestion is that your family always speaks of Jesus very normally and naturally, as though He lived right there in your house with you. Definitely work NOT to create the idea of "magic" person off in the sky somewhere.
 

10-four

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2017
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#3
Hi.Well there are some coloring books with Christian themes...and also something called "veggie tales" which are Christian themed movies featuring animated vegetables. But I'm not sure if a one year old would be interested in coloring .It's been many years since I've had a child that young.Teaching your baby the "now I lay me down to sleep" prayer is a good start.I taught all four of mine that prayer when they were real young even though it was their mother who made sure they said their prayers at bedtime. I'm a bit rusty at this stage in my life when it comes down to young ones.Praying that it works out for you.Be blessed
 
Feb 7, 2015
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#4
I'm sorry, but have you ever sat down and analyzed that "now I lay me down to sleep" prayer? It is no wonder so many people grow up in fear of losing their Salvation over some little "nothing." It probably creates as many subconscious fears as the "Rock-a-bye Baby" lullaby.
 

10-four

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2017
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#5
Now that you've mentioned it and now that I'm thinking about the words in that particular prayer it probably wouldn't be the best prayer to suggest that some people teach their young ones.All I know is my Dad taught it to me and my siblings when we were young so I passed it down.Thought it was a good one to teach my kids.They didn't seem to mind reciting it..at least according to my ex. Shrugs...
 
Feb 7, 2015
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#6
Now that you've mentioned it and now that I'm thinking about the words in that particular prayer it probably wouldn't be the best prayer to suggest that some people teach their young ones.All I know is my Dad taught it to me and my siblings when we were young so I passed it down.Thought it was a good one to teach my kids.They didn't seem to mind reciting it..at least according to my ex. Shrugs...
I think we were all raised on that prayer. But, we are adults now, and have the capacity to understand the preconceived expectations such words bury deep into a child's subconscious mind.

As I said, think also of all the frightening visions the lullaby "Rock-a Bye Baby in The Treetop" engenders when the child sees themselves falling from the top of that tree when the wind starts to blow.
 
Feb 28, 2016
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#7
Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray The Lord my soul to keep, if I should die
before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

what am I missing here Will??? what is the threat of something so sweet???
 

10-four

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2017
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#8
I think we were all raised on that prayer. But, we are adults now, and have the capacity to understand the preconceived expectations such words bury deep into a child's subconscious mind.

As I said, think also of all the frightening visions the lullaby "Rock-a Bye Baby in The Treetop" engenders when the child sees themselves falling from the top of that tree when the wind starts to blow.
Yeah.I understand your point.The "if the bough breaks the cradle will fall and down will come baby cradle and all" could mess a kid up.
 
Feb 7, 2015
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#9
We keep on perpetuating the lack of solid assurance..... After all, most of us keep singing this song:

"My Hope is Built on Nothing Less"
by Edward Mote, 1797-1874

1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

3. His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
 

MariaJoy01

Junior Member
Nov 17, 2017
26
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#10
Nighttime prayer is a good idea. And she is too young to really follow veggietales or color. I really want to find something to introduce Jesus to her so much so she can recognize him like she does with her show characters. Thanks for the input :)
 
Z

Zi

Guest
#11
She may be too young to recognize now but one day she won't be. Why not start anyway?
The coloring books you can show her later and she'll see you really made Him a big part of her life even before she'd remember.
Nighttime prayer is a good idea. And she is too young to really follow veggietales or color. I really want to find something to introduce Jesus to her so much so she can recognize him like she does with her show characters. Thanks for the input :)
 
Z

Zi

Guest
#12
Brains are always storing information and making connections.
 
Feb 7, 2015
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#13
Nighttime prayer is a good idea. And she is too young to really follow veggietales or color. I really want to find something to introduce Jesus to her so much so she can recognize him like she does with her show characters. Thanks for the input :)
Is it really good for her to grow up equating Jesus with a Teddy Bear?
 

Beez

Senior Member
Nov 27, 2017
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#14
Because of the circumstances of my childhood, my memory goes back into toddlerhood. (I think that people with normal or peaceful childhoods, this may not happen as much, but I maybe wrong.) The reason I have brought this up is because I made many solid, specific, and often sinful decisions before the age of two to four. Also, one of my grandchildren had a difficult start in life, and I watched, in wonder, as he processed life at that age, because he responded similarly.

When people don't have specific memories from a very early age, in my opinion, they tend to discount the thoughts and responses of the little ones.

I think you are right to be concerned about this, MariaJoy01.

But what about teaching her how to pray in her own words, by holding her and starting with very simple prayers that are about her? Does she have her own Bible? What about reading, with expression, mainly the narratives about children in the Bible to her for now?
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
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#15
I think that the "Our Father" prayer is much more understandable than so called "prayers for children". And theologically right.

But I would be careful not to manipulate little children into faith, they will later rebel against it together with other things from parents. Just be natural.
 
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preacher4truth

Senior Member
Dec 28, 2016
9,171
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#16
I'm a young mom with a one year old. My daughter enjoys some TV shows and can recognize the characters but I really want to cultivate a love for God and Jesus. We have some Bible Stories and Christian books but does anyone have recommendations? I've been looking to get a plush Jesus doll for her. Not sure what else to do other than going to church.
It's good you're giving thought to this. You're on the right track, short story, and a prayer is good to keep in discipline of this while your daughter grows. Also stay in church as well. I'd pass on a "Jesus doll" that is the one thing where I would differ.

Please consider The Pilgrim's Progress for your child in the coming years as a book to read to her. There are abridged additions that are easier to read. If you haven't read it yourself, please do, it is a tremendous work.

If you pray and read Scripture with your child you'll be doing way more than most professing Christian families do.
 

stand2

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2017
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#17
I think we were all raised on that prayer. But, we are adults now, and have the capacity to understand the preconceived expectations such words bury deep into a child's subconscious mind.

As I said, think also of all the frightening visions the lullaby "Rock-a Bye Baby in The Treetop" engenders when the child sees themselves falling from the top of that tree when the wind starts to blow.
Me and my eight siblings were raised on both of these. I can remember my mother singing to the younger ones. What do I remember most ? My Mother's singing of course. All my siblings ( and all those raised on the farm) turned out fine. A matter of choice, I guess ; but I am of the school of "If it isn't broke, don't fix it. At one year old, I would think the way to teach The love of Christ is to demonstrate (by example) your love of Jesus every day.