“When your son asks…” Part 1: Why Should I Answer Why?

Growing up, I was one of those “why” kids.  You know the kind: Every statement or request is followed by “Why?”

Mom: Clean up your toys before we leave.
Child: Why?

Dad: No, you can’t eat any more ice cream.
Child: Why?

Teacher: Your name needs to always be written at the top of your paper on the right-hand side.
Child: Why?

In talking with my mom years later, she expressed how frustrated she used to be over my questions, thinking that it was an act of defiance, attempting to get out of the request or questioning her authority.  However, she said that she one day realized  this was not the case.  I legitimately desired to understand the “why,” and then I was content accepting the request or statement.

Perhaps you’ve had a similar experience with your children or kids you care for.  This week as I’ve studied the Scripture regarding kid’s education, I have been struck by the use of kid’s questions inherent in God’s design for teaching the next generation. It seems that one purpose in God’s institution of many of Israel’s national holidays and symbols was to tap into children’s inquisitive nature. For example, twice in the commands for the Passover, God states: “And when in time to come you son asks you, ‘What does this mean?” you shall say to him…” (Dt 13:14). The same is the case for the giving of the 10 commandments and the setting up of stones after crossing the Jordan River (Dt 6:20 and Joshua 4:6).  God created children to be curious explorers of the world around them.  In fact, Deuteronomy 32:7 actually encourages kids to ask their parents questions! And in each instance of children’s questions, parents are told to answer them according to God’s Word.

Your child’s inquisitive nature is a gift from God and an opportunity for you to have those “teachable moments” with them.  Understanding that God’s truth is trustworthy and applicable to life’s endeavors (as Pastor Joshua recently wrote about in Faith, Truth, Trustworthiness), your kids questions about any aspect of life is an opportunity for you to “connect the dots” between Scripture and the world around them.

Over the next couple weeks, I plan to dive into a few questions children may ask, showing how the Bible assists parents in providing their kids with an answer. The Bible is not just for Sundays; nor is it only for your child’s moral instruction–its truth applies to ALL of life. Colossians 2:2-3 says that in Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  Let’s begin tapping into this treasure as we teach and instruct the next generation!