Crianças: o que a Bíblia ensina sobre os pequenos

O que a Bíblia diz sobre as crianças

A Bíblia apresenta as crianças como uma bênção e uma herança entregue por Deus, nunca como um fardo ou acidente. Mais do que isso, Jesus coloca os pequenos no centro da fé: a confiança sincera de uma criança é o padrão para quem deseja entrar no Reino dos Céus.

Filhos como bênção e presente de Deus

Cada vida que chega é fruto do cuidado do Criador. Os filhos não pertencem aos pais por posse, mas são confiados à família como uma responsabilidade sagrada que traz alegria ao lar.

3 Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,

The fruit of the womb is a reward.(Psalm 127:3)

13 For You created my innermost parts;

You wove me in my mother’s womb.

14 I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made;

Wonderful are Your works,

And my soul knows it very well.(Psalm 139:13,14)

12 When our sons in their youth are like growing plants,

And our daughters like corner pillars fashioned for a palace,(Psalm 144:12)

6 Grandchildren are the crown of the old,

And the glory of sons is their fathers.(Proverbs 17:6)

Jesus e o acolhimento aos pequenos

Em uma época em que crianças não tinham voz social, Jesus fez questão de interromper os discípulos para recebê-las, abençoá-las e apontá-las como modelo de humildade espiritual.

14 But Jesus said, "Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them to come to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."(Matthew 19:14)

13 And they were bringing children to Him so that He would touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, "Allow the children to come to Me; do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.(Mark 10:13,14)

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 And He called a child to Himself and set him among them, 3 and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.4 So whoever will humble himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.(Matthew 18:1-4)

10 "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones; for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.(Matthew 18:10)

36 And He took a child and placed him among them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, 37 "Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me."(Mark 9:36,37)

52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and people.(Luke 2:52)

Instrução e ensino no caminho certo

Educar uma criança na fé não depende de discursos longos, mas da presença intencional no dia a dia. Ensinar os mandamentos de Deus no cotidiano protege o coração dos filhos antes que o mundo dite seus valores.

6 Train up a child in the way he should go,

Even when he grows older he will not abandon it.(Proverbs 22:6)

6 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 And you shall repeat them diligently to your sons and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up.(Deuteronomy 6:6,7)

1 My son, do not forget my teaching,

But have your heart comply with my commandments;

2 For length of days and years of life

And peace they will add to you.(Proverbs 3:1,2)

4 He taught me and said to me,

"Let your heart take hold of my words;

Keep my commandments and live;

5 Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!

Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.(Proverbs 4:4,5)

8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction,

And do not ignore your mother’s teaching;

9 For they are a graceful wreath for your head

And necklaces for your neck.(Proverbs 1:8,9)

11 Come, you children, listen to me;

I will teach you the fear of the Lord.(Psalm 34:11)

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?

By keeping it according to Your word.(Psalm 119:9)

Disciplina com amor e sem exasperar

A correção bíblica busca direcionar o coração para a sabedoria, e não descarregar a frustração dos adultos. O limite estabelecido com paciência ensina discernimento e segurança emocional.

15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;

The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.(Proverbs 22:15)

24 He who withholds his rod hates his son,

But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.(Proverbs 13:24)

15 The rod and a rebuke give wisdom,

But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.(Proverbs 29:15)

13 Do not withhold discipline from a child;

Though you strike him with the rod, he will not die.(Proverbs 23:13)

12 For whom the Lord loves He disciplines,

Just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.(Proverbs 3:12)

4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.(Ephesians 6:4)

21 Fathers, do not antagonize your children, so that they will not become discouraged.(Colossians 3:21)

11 For the moment, all discipline seems not to be pleasant, but painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.(Hebrews 12:11)

Obediência aos pais e a promessa de vida

A obediência aos pais é a primeira escola de relacionamento de uma criança. Honrar a família gera respeito à autoridade e traz estabilidade e maturidade para toda a vida adulta.

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3 so that it may turn out well for you, and that you may live long on the earth.(Ephesians 6:1-3)

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.(Colossians 3:20)

1 A wise son accepts his father’s discipline,

But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.(Proverbs 13:1)

5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline,

But he who complies with rebuke is sensible.(Proverbs 15:5)

11 It is by his deeds that a boy distinguishes himself,

If his conduct is pure and right.(Proverbs 20:11)

22 Listen to your father, who fathered you,

And do not despise your mother when she is old.

23 Buy truth, and do not sell it,

Get wisdom, instruction, and understanding.(Proverbs 23:22,23)

O legado da fé para as próximas gerações

O maior patrimônio que pais e responsáveis deixam não são bens materiais, mas o testemunho vivo de fidelidade a Deus. Transmitir o que o Senhor fez constrói raízes firmes para as gerações que virão.

4 We will not conceal them from their children,

But we will tell the generation to come the praises of the Lord,

And His power and His wondrous works that He has done.

5 For He established a testimony in Jacob,

And appointed a law in Israel,

Which He commanded our fathers

That they were to teach them to their children,

6 So that the generation to come would know, the children yet to be born,

That they would arise and tell them to their children,

7 So that they would put their confidence in God

And not forget the works of God,

But comply with His commandments,(Psalm 78:4-7)

46 he said to them, "Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you will command your sons to follow carefully, all the words of this Law. 47 For it is not a trivial matter for you; indeed it is your life. And by this word you will prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess."(Deuteronomy 32:46,47)

13 "All your sons will be taught by the Lord;

And the well-being of your sons will be great.(Isaiah 54:13)

15 "Can a woman forget her nursing child

And have no compassion on the son of her womb?

Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.

16 "Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;

Your walls are continually before Me.(Isaiah 49:15,16)

4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.(3 John 1:4)

2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful people who will be able to teach others also.(2 Timothy 2:2)