“The eminent theologian once asked what age a child should be before there was reasonable hope of becoming a Christian. “Age has nothing to do with it,” was the reply. “Love for Jesus, trust, rest, security, are all qualities that are in harmony with the nature of the child. As soon as a child can love and trust its mother, then it can love and trust Jesus, as its mother’s Friend. Jesus will be its friend, loved and honored.” Child Guidance, p. 486.The words “trust,” “rest,” and “security” are words whose meaning is familiar to most babies and young children, or at least should be. These are feelings they experience when they are near their mother or caregivers. These three feelings encompass everything a baby needs to be happy in the first months of life, and it is from these needs, met by their parents or caregivers, that they will be guided to have these feelings for Jesus.“Parents should teach the baby, child, and youth the love of Jesus. Let the first words uttered by the baby be about Christ.” CG, p. 487.Most families seeking an intimate relationship with God have the habit of gathering for family worship. If you already have this habit, you probably already include your baby in this time. If by chance you don't yet, try to implement it in your family as soon as possible, as it will be a blessing for everyone.Family worship is a practice that, in addition to uniting family members, unites the family with God and places it in a position to receive many blessings from God, and at the same time in an area of protection against the enemy's temptations. It is during family worship that most babies hear the name of Jesus for the first time. Through small songs and illustrated Bible stories, they begin to form their first little impressions of God in their minds, even if at the moment it seems they don't understand anything.The habit of prayer should also be started in the very first moments of life. Regular prayers upon waking and going to bed, at meal times and during worship, and also in times of need, such as during a colic crisis, or any other moment of discontent for the baby.“One of the first sounds that should attract their attention is the name of Jesus, and in their tenderest years they should be led to the prayer stool. Their minds should be filled with stories of the Lord’s life, and their imagination should be encouraged to paint the glories of the world to come.” CG, p. 488.The suggestion of having a prayer stool or small prayer pillow for the child is very interesting, as it establishes a special place where they will gradually get used to seeking God whenever they need to. Some mothers who practice this testify to situations where their young children knelt in public places without the slightest “shame” or concern if others were watching, to ask for God's help for a specific situation.Another habit that most people don't think applies to babies is personal devotion. Is there an appropriate age to introduce this habit into a child's life? Perhaps for some, family worship in certain circumstances would be enough to help the child start the day with God, but it is also important for the child to learn to develop their individual time with God. If this is the goal when they grow up, small seeds can be planted in the child's heart from an early age.When my first daughter was about six months old, I remember struggling to reconcile my personal devotion with the time she woke up and needed my attention. For a while, I wrestled with this and asked God for help, and I don't quite remember how, but one day I was impressed to put some soft music in her little room and place some small books in her crib to keep her entertained until I finished my devotional and could attend to her. And you know what? It worked! Those were the first little devotions she did. Gradually, I explained that this was my personal devotion time with God and that she was doing hers too, and it became a natural habit, in addition to helping her start the day in peace and tranquility.Personal devotion when they are still young is very important for establishing a habit that will last as they grow. Furthermore, we know that the younger the child, the more moldable their character. As inspiration says: “In childhood, the spirit is easily impressed and molded, and it is then that boys and girls should be taught to love and honor God.” CG, p. 486. Starting the day with God, with their little heart already molded by the Holy Spirit, will greatly help the young child overcome daily difficulties.As they grow, there are many ways to help them develop personal communion. Discover some interesting ideas here.If children have the blessing of developing these habits when they are very young, it's no wonder that even while young, they will become little missionaries for Jesus, and will naturally desire to share God's love with others through their testimony.“God wants every child of tender age to be His child, adopted into His family. Even though young, youth can be members of the family of faith and have a most precious experience. They can have tender hearts, ready to receive lasting impressions. They can expand their hearts in trust and love for Jesus, and live for the Savior. Christ will make them little missionaries.” CG. p. 486.When my daughter was about four years old, one day at church they gave her a small card holder from the Women's Ministry to put pamphlets in and carry in her bag to distribute. She understood and really liked the idea, and almost every time we left the house, she would take the card holder and carry pamphlets to give to people on the street, at supermarket checkouts, and at toll booths. I confess that sometimes we, as parents, had some apprehension, but she, without any fear and very naturally, delivered messages of comfort to people.Perhaps these concepts are new to you, especially if you didn't grow up in a Christian home and haven't yet developed these habits in your life. God can give you strength to develop new habits by helping your little ones develop communion with God.

The Restore Project is pleased to help families spiritually educate their children, which is why it has developed materials that can be useful in this task, such as the series of CDs “Good Morning, Jesus”. A series of audio devotionals for children. This month we are launching the third volume of the series. In addition to this series, other materials such as the CD of hymns for babies and the CD of sung Bible verses, are excellent tools that can be used for this purpose.

May God help you in this important mission!

Read also Ideas for Your Children's Personal Devotion

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