Framing in the Bible
Parenting for Faith's second key tool is Framing - the idea that we can frame, or explain, to kids and teens, who God is and what he's doing.
Parents and carers are constantly framing the world for their kids, helping them understand it and navigate it well. We reassure babies – ‘I love you’. We help toddlers understand that if they bite their friend there will be consequences. We explain to kids that they need to cross the road carefully or they might get knocked down. We talk for hours with teens about how to revise and why it makes a difference.
Kids also need us to frame spiritually. Sometimes they know a lot about God, but don’t necessarily see what he has to do with everyday life. They see war and wonder why God didn’t stop it. They try their best, but their friends ghost them. They read bible promises about God being with them, but can’t feel him. They try to decide who to vote for. If kids have information about who God is without understanding what he’s doing in everyday life, life can feel a bit disconnected from God, and he becomes less relevant.
Framing is a simple way to start explaining all this to kids. We see this idea of framing all over the Bible – which makes so much sense. God isn’t just a remote figure bossing us about or watching the world play out, but is intimately involved both with his creation and with us. Like a parent, he wants to help us understand our situation and his part in our lives.
The Bible – one big story
Although the Bible is a huge book, it is also one totally connected story, of how God made the world and us, watched us walk away, decided to help us get back to him, sent Jesus to die to make that happen, invited us – the church – to partner with him in making his love a reality in the world, looking forward to the day when Jesus will return and all will be restored to God’s original intention – for ever! When kids begin to see this whole story, it helps them make sense of the reality of the ups and downs of life and God in the middle of it all. The Bible itself recognises this:
- Paul recounting the bible timeline in Antioch to help his hearers understand the significance of Jesus
- The psalms often reference earlier parts of the bible story to help the hearer understand who God is: for example, Psalm 136
- Paul explains the whole plan to the Ephesians (the Message translation is particularly helpful here)
Seeing God in the Bible
The Bible helps us understand who God is, not just through formal teaching, but in the stories. The story of Noah teaches us that God might ask us to do the extraordinary. The story of Gideon helps us understand that God can and will use anyone. Children and teens might miss some of that, particularly where stories don’t make God’s role explicit, like Esther and baby Moses . By pointing out and wondering about God’s role, we can help them make the connection between God in the Bible and who God is now. We see this connection being made in the Bible itself.
- On the road to Emmaus, Jesus explained how the scriptures pointed to himself
- Philip explained to the Ethiopian that Isaiah was talking to about Jesus
- While Ezra was reading the scriptures, the Levites explained them to the people
- Paul pointed out what God was doing in Jesus’s life, to great effect.
Giving the ‘why’
One really effective way parents and carers can frame for their children and teens is to let them know not just what to do, but why they should. When we do this, we help kids connect what they do with God and understand why it makes a difference. We see this in the Bible:
- Paul explains the ‘what’ of transforming our minds and adds the ‘why’: ‘Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.’
- Jesus urges us not to store up treasure on earth – and gives us the why as well
- God asks Ananias to go to Saul and, when Ananias is reluctant, adds the ‘why’
- In Proverbs 3:5-6 we are told the what – lean on God – and the why – so he can help
- Lot and his family are urged to flee and not look back – so they won’t be destroyed
Naming what you see
Sometimes, as people who’ve had a little more experience of God, we will be able to help kids see what God is doing when they are unaware. When we name what we see, we help them make that connection too. Saying to a toddler ‘Night night, God will be with you all night’ helps them understand a truth they can’t see. Here are some Bible examples of naming:
- Eli told Samuel that the voice he heard was God’s
- Naomi names that Ruth’s good fortune that day was due to God’s kindness
- Joseph helps his brothers understand that their actions had been part of God’s plan to get him to Egypt
- When challenged for healing on the Sabbath, Jesus points out that his Father is always working
Cultivate curiosity
Harnessing kids’ natural curiosity – or sharing yours – is a great opportunity to frame who God is and what he’s doing for your kids. Kids often have a lot of questions about God, and by aiming to help them figure it out, rather than giving them a direct answer, we can train them how to figure out answers and wrestle with difficult issues well. Questions have always been a part of how people learn about God and we see this in the Bible too:
- Mary asking how she can be pregnant since she is a virgin: Gabriel’s answer helps her decide to say yes.
- Habakkuk asks God why he doesn’t stop evil, and God replies with what he will do
- Abram asking God how he can be sure he’ll gain possession of the land
- The disciples asking who is the greatest in God’s kingdom
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