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Teaching Revelation to children...

Oct 26, 2012
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In Children's Sunday School, is it appropriate to teach the Book of Revelation with all the horrific symbols and images such as the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse of Rev. 6:1-8, the harlot of Babylon in Rev. 17, the beast and the truth about the mark, 666 of Rev. 13:1-18, etc? :angel::groupray:
 
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theOriginalJust4Jesus

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In Children's Sunday School, is it appropriate to teach the Book of Revelation with all the horrific symbols and images such as the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse of Rev. 6:1-8, the harlot of Babylon in Rev. 17, the beast and the truth about the mark, 666 of Rev. 13:1-18, etc? :angel::groupray:

I have asked myself this question many times. My children then 12 was very disturbed for many months after reading revelation. I just don't know. We do not let our children watch scary movies either so I say with little kids still "on the milk" let them stay on the milk for now. Good luck :)
 
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homeofmew

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I think it's only fair to teach what the bible says, they are going to be upset later why some books were taught and others not.
I remember I was 12 or so when I read song of solomon.
Anyway kids today aren't stupid, they know how to read from the kid bibles.
Hiding stuff from them is irresponsible.
 
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homeofmew

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The thing is the church teaches to read the bible, if kids actually go home and do that, drama in the church will happen and the kid who read the bible may be 'kicked out". I got this kids bible in 3rd grade. This one
The International Children's Bible: Thomas Nelson: 9780849908002: Amazon.com: Books

And like i said kids aren't stupid we actually may do what the church challenges us to do.

OR MAYBE people should force their religion on their child until a certain age.
 
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Look at a development chart for how children's brains change over the years. They are not thinking very abstractly until adolescence.

Cognitive Development - stages, meaning, average, Definition, Description, Common problems
Cognitive Development Page 2 | Education.com
Educational Psychology Interactive: Cognitive Development

The kids are handling a lot of ghouls and monsters in school and movies, but the Rev ones are confusing to most adults.


Elementary students barely grasp space, creation, and what history is about. They can memorize the facts, but Rev will probably seem like a story book to them.

By 12, they will want to take on the world, and will probably enjoy the mysteries to unravel... but you will have a mix of reading levels in the class and some kids will be left in the dust.

If you do use John's Revelation, then it might be worth starting slowly at the beginning and talking about the words to the churches, how that pertains to people now. If they handle that well, then move on.
 
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beforHim

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As parsley said, kids don't grasp abstract too well. But also, I'm wondering why can't the church be the place to teach them? The disciples usually didn't grasp it too well, but Jesus taught them anyway.

And about it being to scary or whatever- I'm a firm advocate that we shouldn't hide things from kids (like homeofmew was getting at). We don't talk to young kids about sex, sin, scary stuff, symbolism ((the alliteration was not intentional, but it's cool none-the-less!)). And then they grow up being less-then on fire Christians, being somewhat "dumb" Christians, being out-of-the-know Christians, being know-it-all Christians.

Less-than-on-fire: all we taught them was "Jesus loves you, He died for you, sin is bad, noah's Ark and David and Goliath and the Lion's den are cool. They hear only this sooooo much that it looses all substance and ceases to move them.
Somewhat "Dumb": They only learn the very few stories and facts repeated over and over (like the above paragraph). Maybe "ignorant" would be a better word. And while Jesus called us tho "be like little Children", I don't think he meant stay clueless forever.
"Out-of-the-know": Many Christians go to college and loose their faith because they were never taught about sex, other religions, hard sayings of Jesus, gruesome OT stories, etc. Being out-of-the-know suddenly causes them to be totally shocked and discombobulates them out of their walk.
Know-it-all: Because they do know it all. Jesus loves me, died for me, that's it. Theology? Relationships? Bible verses and prayer times? Who cares? I know it all!


So yeah, I'm a firm advocate of teaching young kids *quote-unquote* "adult" things early on. If we are good enough parents, we can't teach them and everything be fine. So I'd say that if you're gonna teach something like Revelation, have a "preperatory" session with the parents: explaining why it's good for the kids to learn this stuff while they're young, and that they(the parents) can and should be ready to go over this stuff with their kids.
 
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bdavison

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Can you teach revelation to children....YES, absolutely.

You need to modify your approach though from doom and gloom to eternal promises.
The book of revelation has some amazing references to what God's charecter is like as well as what our eternal life will look like.

Revelation 21:1-7 is a great lesson for kids.

John having a revelation where God shows him what our eternal life will look like. It's an amazing promise. A PROMISE. It will happen just like he says. Children can completely understand the concept of no more pain, no more suffering, no more tears and the eternal gathering of God's children to him. When combined with John 3:16, you've got two parts to new confessions of faith.
 
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Morning Star Royal

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The Lord brought me up into paradise (2 Cor 12:2-5) through a scroll that unrolled itself on my ceiling. Instead of script on it, there was a beautiful new world, a magnificent forest garden that stretched as far as the eye could see. Such a person who goes there is one who is considered Awesome to the apostles.

There, Jesus himself emerged from the thick blanket of fir trees across the other side of a straight gorge with vertical rock walls. There was also a majestic waterfall flowing over the opposite. And there were many places to explore, commune, pray and share. I stood in awe. The Lord continued walking out over the gorge onto the air with no bridge or log beneath his feet! He approached and stood in front of me. Just then these words flowed from me: "Good morning, precious-wonderful Lord Jesus!" said with the pure excitement of a child receiving a thousand wonderful gifts at once. At this, a thousand fine light rays shined from his heart permeating my being and I felt like a "cup running over" with joy, honor, wisdom, understanding, nobility, life and very heart of God the Father. I asked: "Is this the light of the Father?" and Lord Jesus replied: "It is as you say." The he shifted his eyes toward the gorge so I looked over it again. At that moment, appearing out of the crystal clean air, was a towering gold, white and sapphire onion domed palace (one large dome in the center surrounded by four smaller ones with giant pillars encircling the entire structure). I asked: "Is this the Father's house?" And Jesus replied: "This is the place we have prepared for you." All in one event, I am chosen and confirmed by the Father, Christ and the Apostles. And this was just the beginning.

Seven years later, the Father sent a vision while having me transfigured in front of witnesses. The vision revealed new specific commands based on the former to the kingdoms and governments of the earth since evil impostors who have lied, cheated and murdered their way into the pinnacles of worldly power have thrust this planet into a global extinction. The evil involved is far worse than typical sin and these are expedited instructions to the governments and all of you to End All War and use the money (trillions) that was on its way to weapons, carriers, jets, and new weapons of mass destruction and put it into global forest recovery/enhancement and into Technological Conversion beginning with free/clean energy. This may sound naive to an economist, but the Kingdom is not a capitalist ruling government. The Kingdom is sovereign above all governments and worlds. And the marching orders here for the governments is serious Kingdom business that cannot be debated or overruled by anyone, not even all the churches combined. Therefore, you can no longer place the children whom God is finishing to be royal leaders under subservience to governments which have all suffered coup from Satan's secret empire and fallen to evil ends.

In the days of the original apostles, certain leaders in government were being converted. So the prognosis was good for having newlings being grafted in to obey them. Plus this saved a fledgling Way just emerging into a primitive and violent world from loose swords. But much has changed since then. Reading the risen and glorified Lord's cautions to the churches then to reject impostors should be required reading even for infants. And they can handle it, believe me. At age three, don't hold back or soften a single thing.

Love with lots of hugs and reward,

Jeffrey :groupray:
 
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