I made this photo last night after the Revival Service. Two children, both of whom showed unusual interest in the Word of God this week! Both Kassie and Keenan listened well to the Sermons I preached each night. And each read (or heard read) our Text (Psalm 14) for the week … dozens and dozens of times, hundreds in Kassie’s case.

Today’s Bible Lesson …

While I have heard some Preachers criticize encouraging children in the area of salvation, I am happy to report that boys and girls do exist who have a sincere affinity (if not outright love) for the Bible.

And I suggest most (if not all) children can (with a little encouragement) come to a place of learning the Scriptures … in an astounding manner!

In fact, many of the Preachers of bygone years (I’m roughly talking 1650 to 1800 now, AD) had already (in their youth) learned elementary Greek (and a few, even Hebrew)! Folks, learning such by the age of 10 or 12, and certainly by their teenage years!

Why?

They had parents who wanted to instill in their sons an abiding knowledge of God’s Holy Word!

Any Bible precedent for this?

I think young Samuel in the Old Testament (recall Hannah his Mother and Eli his mentor) is an example of such early learning.

I know Timothy (in the New Testament) is!

Paul wrote to that young man, who had not been “called” to preach very long … “From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15

And the noun “child” here is the Greek word “brephos,” meaning “infant” once in the King James Version! And “babe” five times! And “young child” once more. In ancient Greek the word could even mean “fetus, embryo.” Wow!

And the verb “hast known” used by Paul here is not “ginosko,” the “read and study and learn” verb. It is “eido,” the “seeing with understanding” verb! The Holy Spirit giving perception … even to young hearts and minds!

Look what the Bible is called here … “Holy Scriptures!” With “holy” suggesting they are in a class by themselves … none other like them! “God-breathed,” we learn in the next verse, in 2 Timothy 3:16.

What can the Bible do for young people like those pictured above? Paul again: “Make them wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

The verb “is able” (actually “are able”) translates “dunamai,” our word “dynamite!” That kind of power, in the Word of God!

And “wise unto salvation” speaks for itself, that clause. These little folks CAN be saved, no matter what some misguided Preacher might say.

They (the Scriptures) surely worked for Timothy, didn’t they?

I pray they will for the children we know and love as well.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

To anyone reading here today with “little people” in your life … prayerfully try to ingrain in them an appreciation for, a knowledge of, and loving spirit toward the “Scriptures of Truth.” If you do … God might bless you with a Samuel or Timothy … or Keenan or Cassie!

Amen.