Many thanks for the review of this piece ... as a Christian writer,
i certainly respect your right to express your views, but i would
also point out, that the piece posted is simply meant as a
"framework" for presenting a lesson, on this passage.
As such, these presenter can use Biblical Truths (not church rules) revealed in the passage, to influence children into a closer
relationship God, through Jesus Christ ..... and such Truths may be interpreted, developed and presented in a myriad of ways, including
the view that you have put forward.
blessings
paul
:)
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Reviewed by Ellen Malone (Reader)
12/11/2008
Hi Paul
I haven't blogged before but try as I may I can't pass over this lesson of yours. I love children and I love Jesus. It seems that you have written a harsh lesson that may turn children away from Jesus in the long run - or at the very least,foster a relationship that is more about guilt and fear than the absolute unconditional love that Jesus came to teach us. How much better to help children to understand and experience Jesus as our ultimate perfected parent who will never abandon us. It is people who turn away from Jesus, not the other way around. I think your lesson (accidentally on your part) has a subtext that Jesus turns from us. You must see things from a child's comprehension.
As for being a 'good' Christian; it is a term that needs definition. Everyone, and children especially, define that term according to their own cultural and familial conditioning. We are by nature imperfect and nobody manages to be 'good' all of the time. No matter how hard one tries. I thought this was another of Jesus lessons - that our salvation lies in our surrender and devotion as we are incapable of getting it right all alone, using only our egocentric identity and desire. Having a relationship with God is so much more than obeying a set of church bound rules. Surely it is to that relationship that you must guide children if you take it upon yourself to educate them spiritually. Take them to a simple and innocent understanding of Jesus Love, not the fear of everlasting suffering if they are not 'good' enough. I'm sure you didn't mean your lesson to come across that way but it does. Remember that 'unless you be like little children you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven'. Love is all you need. That in itself takes a life times understanding.
With apologies I mean all this humbly and respectfully. Much blessings. Ellen
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