Where Do We Look?
“And sometimes the most important thing we can teach our children isn't the answer itself, but where to look for it.”
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5–6
“Mom, why?”
Those two little words can open the door to some of the most meaningful conversations we will ever have with our children.
Why did this happen? Why can't I do that? Why does God allow people to get sick? How do we know the Bible is true? What happens when we die?
Some questions are easy. Others catch us completely off guard. And sometimes, we simply don't know the answer.
But what if we stopped seeing our children's questions as something we have to solve and started seeing them as opportunities to disciple?
Every question is an opportunity to share another piece of God's character. A question about suffering can lead us to talk about God's compassion. A question about right and wrong can reveal His holiness. A question about fear can remind us of His presence. A question about forgiveness can show them His mercy and grace.
And sometimes the most important thing we can teach our children isn't the answer itself, but where to look for it.
We can teach them to search God's Word. We can teach them to pray and ask God for wisdom. We can teach them that God has placed people in their lives who love Him and can help them, a mom or dad, a grandparent, a Sunday school teacher, a pastor, or another trusted believer.
We don't have to be walking Google search bars or, for those of us old enough to remember, a modern encyclopedia set! 😂 We don't have to know everything.
In fact, saying “I don't know, but let's find out together” may be one of the most valuable answers we can give.
Because sometimes our children need to learn something even deeper than information: how to wait on God.
We can teach them to become quiet before Him, to listen, to pray, and to pay attention to the gentle leading of the Holy Spirit. As they grow, we can help them learn the difference between simply having a feeling and exercising biblical discernment, testing what they hear against God's Word and seeking wise counsel.
Proverbs tells us not to lean on our own understanding, but to trust the Lord. What a beautiful lesson to model for our children.
We don't have to be the source of every answer. We get to point them toward the Source.
So when the questions come, we can pause instead of panic. We can listen instead of rushing. We can open the Word instead of pretending to know. We can pray instead of relying solely on our own understanding.
And little by little, our children's questions can become opportunities to teach them not only what to believe, but how to seek God for themselves.
We may not always know what to say, but we can always teach our children where to turn.
Think about a question your child has recently asked. Instead of focusing only on what was the answer?, ask:
What could this question teach my child about God's character?
What biblical truth could I point them toward?
Did I feel pressure to have an immediate answer?
Pray: Lord, help me see my children's questions as opportunities to point them toward You. Give me wisdom to recognize the spiritual lessons hidden inside everyday conversations. Amen.
Faith Follow-Through:
This week, take some time to grow in motherhood and faith:
Tuesday:
Choose a question your child has asked and look for the answer together in God's Word.
Help them see that the Bible is not simply a book we read, it is a place we go when we need truth and wisdom.
Wednesday:
Practice releasing the pressure to know everything.
The next time your child asks something you don't know, say:
“I don't know. But that's a really good question. Let's find out together.”
Then consider who might help you find the answer, a parent, grandparent, teacher, pastor, or another trusted follower of Jesus.
Thursday:
Take a few quiet minutes with your child to pray about something they are wondering about.
Instead of immediately filling the silence, teach them to wait and listen.
Ask afterward:
What thoughts came to your mind?
Does what you sensed line up with God's Word?
Is there anything we should pray about or seek wise counsel about?
Teach them that discernment isn't simply “What do I feel?” but learning to recognize what is consistent with God's truth and seeking Him before we act.
Written by Kerry, mom of 1
