Growing Young Disciples

Today’s devotion is taken from Growing Young Disciples as they look at how we as believers can point our children and young people to Christ.

God created emotions. He gave us the capacity to feel joy, sorrow, anger, love, and fear. Jesus Himself experienced deep emotions—He wept at Lazarus’ tomb (John 11:35), felt compassion for the crowds (Mark 6:34), and expressed righteous anger (Mark 3:5). Our emotions are not sinful in and of themselves; they are part of what it means to be made in the image of God.

However, because of sin, our emotions—like every part of our nature—are fallen. The heart, far from being a reliable guide, is described in Scripture as deceitful above all things and desperately sick (Jer. 17:9). Emotions can lead us toward righteousness or toward sin, depending on whether they are rightly ordered. They are not inherently trustworthy.

Biblical wisdom does not dismiss emotions, but neither does it enthrone them. Instead, it teaches us to engage our emotions with truth. In the Psalms, David does not blindly follow his emotions—he questions them, directs them, and brings them under God’s rule:

• Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. (Psalm 42:5)

Rather than letting his emotions define reality, David speaks truth to his soul. This is the pattern we must teach our children [and do ourselves!]

1. Emotions are Real but Not Ultimate

Emotions are real, valid, and important. But they are not the final authority. Feelings can be strong, but they are not always true. Proverbs 14:12 warns that “there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” We must gently help young people discern whether their emotions are leading them toward wisdom or away from it.

A child may feel unloved, but that does not mean they are unloved (Romans 8:38-39). A teenager may feel anxious, but that does not mean they have no hope (Phil. 4:6-7). Feelings should be acknowledged, but they must be brought under the authority of God’s truth.

2.⁠ ⁠Model Lament and Biblical Expression of Emotion

In many Christian homes and churches, children grow up believing that faith means suppressing emotions rather than bringing them to God. But Scripture does not teach emotional stoicism—it teaches lament, prayer, and worship.

We should not dismiss a child’s sadness with “don’t worry, just trust God.” Instead, we should teach them the language of the Psalms:

• “Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” (Psalm 62:8)

• “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you.” (Psalm 55:22)

Jesus Himself invites us to bring our burdens to Him (Matt. 11:28-30). Children and young people need to see in us an example of engaging with emotions biblically—neither suppressing them nor surrendering to them.

3.⁠ ⁠Point Them to Christ, Not Themselves

The world tells children to look inside themselves for answers. The Bible tells them to look to Christ. In our discipleship, we must consistently point young people to the gospel, where they find their identity not in their fluctuating emotions, but in the unchanging love of God.

• Instead of saying, “follow your heart,”we must teach them to follow Jesus (Luke 9:23).

• Instead of saying, “you are what you feel,” we must teach them, “you are who God says you are in Christ.”

• Instead of saying, “express yourself,”we must teach them that true freedom is found in denying ourselves and living for Christ (Gal. 2:20).

Our children’s generation is being shaped by a secular philosophy of emotions that leads to confusion and despair. But the gospel offers something better—an identity rooted in Christ, a truth more solid than their feelings, and a God who welcomes them, emotions and all, into His steadfast love.

Prayer

Heavenly Father we pray for the children and young people in our care, those we know, those in our church and our community. We pray that they will be able to acknowledge their emotions honestly. That they will bring their emotions to you in prayer and lament. Help them discern whether their emotions align with biblical truth. And Lord we pray that they trust your Word over their shifting feelings.