Raising “Noble-Minded” Children

What a compliment! In the New Testament we find a group of people who received that title.

“Now these [the Bereans] were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11, NAS).

Many of us are familiar with this verse. But what made the Bereans noble-minded?

The first clue is that they “received the word with great eagerness.” They were eager to hear the Word and ready to obey it. How can we instill this in ourselves and in our children? Studying God’s Word should become a regular habit. Parents should make family devotions meaningful, interesting, and full of Scripture. In fact, all Christians should model a love for, and reliance on, God and His Word.

Another clue is that the Bereans were “examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” The Greek word used for examine means “to study thoroughly, to evaluate carefully.” The Bereans delved into the Scriptures daily to evaluate the Apostle Paul’s teachings.

We need to foster a regular time of Bible study so that we and our children are saturated with biblical theology, not just what we receive second-hand in Sunday school. We also need to cultivate discernment and apply a healthy dose of skepticism when examining other people’s ideas, philosophies, and worldviews. All things need to be examined under the light of God’s Word. Only those things that align with His truth ought to be accepted. This careful examination includes movies, textbooks, sermons, and even articles in Christian magazines!

What are you doing to become “noble-minded” like the Bereans?