Years ago, a Christian visiting in a farm home was impressed with the obedience and happy disposition of a four-year-old boy. It was after a meal, while watching the child’s mother painstakingly wash the intricate parts of a cream separator, that he learned the reason for the child’s contented behavior.
As she was busily engaged in that tedious and demanding work, her little boy came to her holding a book through which he had been looking. “Mother,” he asked, “what is the man in this picture doing?”
To the visitor’s surprise, she immediately dried her hands, sat down on a chair, and, setting her little boy on her lap, spent the next few minutes carefully answering all his childish questions.
After he had left, the visitor wondered aloud why she interrupted her important chores to answer her little boy’s unimportant questions. He observed, “Most mothers wouldn’t have done that.”
Her answer is both eloquent and instructive for parents and brethren today.
“I expect to be washing cream separators for the rest of my life,” she said. “But never again will my son ask me those questions.”
Being Willing to Answer
Many questions recorded in the Word of God, asked of the Lord Jesus, were honest, though perhaps not intelligent. Others were not upright (Matt. 22:3535Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, (Matthew 22:35); Mark 8:1111And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. (Mark 8:11)) or were spiritually ignorant (John 3:99Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? (John 3:9)), self-willed (John 13:3737Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. (John 13:37)) or unbelieving (Mark 4:3838And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? (Mark 4:38)). But in divine perfection the Lord Jesus answered them all (with, we hasten to add, a few notable exceptions).
Dads and Moms! Follow this divine pattern with your dear children. They won’t be your “little children” very long. If you have not answered their questions, no matter how insignificant or unintelligent, when they are little, as they grow older the time will quickly come when they won’t ask you any questions. But they will be asking someone!
Teenage years, more than any other time, is when your children will have many, intensely critical, potentially life-altering questions. But they need to have been taught by your example from childhood that their interests and questions are always yours.
Be assured that those who have no love for Christ nor appreciation of Christian morals will be eager to answer their questions with fearful consequences if your teenagers give heed to such answers!
Take all the time necessary now to diligently answer your children’s questions. Be careful never to send a message to your little ones that “Dad (or Mom) is too busy to answer questions.” Nurture a constant, loving dialog from their earliest years.
Refusing to Answer
In the life of our Lord Jesus there were some questions that He did not answer. These particular instances provide wonderful moral guidance for parents as they seek to raise their children in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
(1) The Lord did not answer unbelieving questions which challenged His love and authority to forgive those He had come “to seek and to save” (see John 8:5656Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. (John 8:56)). Parents need not answer questions which are asked in a spirit that challenges their authority.
(3) The Lord Jesus did not answer some of Pilate’s questions to justify Himself (see Matt. 27:13-1413Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? 14And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. (Matthew 27:13‑14); John 19:99And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. (John 19:9)), nor do parents need to justify their decisions. Sometimes, however, parents may need to explain their decisions to children (see John 11:8-118His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? 9Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. 11These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. (John 11:8‑11)).
The Spirit of Answers
When brethren gather together to read the Word of God, unintelligent questions may be asked. Those taking a lead in teaching must be careful of the spirit in which they answer such questions.
The Saviour did not ridicule or mock His questioners. Public rebuke or belittling of upright though ignorant questions should never be allowed. Such ungracious responses will only discourage and drive away those who most need help to grow spiritually.
Ed.