04/14/12 ADVANTAGES OF YOUTH
My observation has been that children do not stumble over the idea of FAITH as much as adults do. It is not because children are gullible, but because they are more sensitive to God and good things, and they are less driven by a rebellious agenda (though they are born with a rebellious nature). Not only does this make it important for us to reach them while they are young, they must make a habit of surrendering self will as they grow older, otherwise they will harden their hearts and fall back into sin.
CONSIDER...
Here is an example, as to why adults (who have not had a strong Biblical background) have a harder time learning spiritual truths than children do.
1- Generally speaking, children must apply themselves to learn to speak. Though they are born with the natural tools to speak, they must listen, learn and apply the principles they are taught.
Likewise, children must learn spiritual principles in order to understand spiritual truths.
2- A child will learn a language more easily than an adult will learn a second language. This is seen clearly in Tonal Languages, where slight and subtle differences in pitch and tone take place (such as found in some oriental languages).
Likewise, adults, being less sensitive to spiritual subtleties, must focus their energies more deliberately and must overcome barriers that have been built up over a period of time. Adults often times do not hear as clearly as children.
3- Remember, learning spiritual truths is not simply an intellectual endeavor, it is a spiritual experience. Therefore, the powers of darkness are actively interfering with spiritual learning and growth, just as God is actively imparting spiritual learning and growth. Therefore the learner (disciple) must employ spiritual effort in order to OBTAIN spiritual light and ATTAIN spiritual development. This includes prayer, trust, obedience, study of the Bible, following spiritual leaders.
