Why Kids Should Study
Why Do We Have to Study?
Have you ever thought about that? Have your children asked you this question?
It’s rare to see a child who willingly puts effort into studying. Most of them find it boring and easily give up when subjects get difficult.
So what should we say to our children? Should we tell them that studying is the way to succeed in today’s world, where success often means wealth, power, and fame? It’s true that studying can help someone "move up" in life—but should we use this idea of success to motivate our children?
The Bible teaches us that children should be instructed and trained from a young age. Many heroes in the Bible started their training early. For example, little Samuel served and trained under Eli. Joshua served and trained under Moses. Both of them eventually became leaders of Israel and fulfilled the destiny God gave them.
So studying helps us prepare for what God wants us to do later in life. God gives different people different talents. Through studying, we discover our talents and sharpen our skills so we can use them to help others and serve God’s Kingdom.
Studying also helps us understand the natural world, which points us to an unseen truth—that God is the Creator of this orderly universe.
And let’s be honest—studying is not easy. It takes perseverance to stick with something that’s hard and often boring. But through studying, our character is shaped. We learn to be diligent and patient. Look at Paul—maybe part of his perseverance came from his strict training as a Pharisee in his early days.
Let’s meditate on the verses below and understand what God wants us to know about studying. Then we can help our children when they ask this golden question: Why should we study?
Let studying be a way to glorify God—not ourselves.
People are to be instructed and trained when young
6Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
17God, you have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wondrous works.
6These words, which I command you today, shall be on your heart; 7and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.
1Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention and know understanding; 2for I give you sound learning. Don’t forsake my law. 3For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother. 4He taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live. 5Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don’t forget, and don’t deviate from the words of my mouth. 6Don’t forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you. 7Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding. 8Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor when you embrace her. 9She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you.”
4You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Examples of great men of God getting trained since young
1The child Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. The LORD’s word was rare in those days. There were not many visions, then.
22Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. He was mighty in his words and works.
28Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his chosen men, answered, “My lord Moses, forbid them!”
4Youths in whom was no defect, but well-favored, skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding science, and who had the ability to stand in the king’s palace; and that he should teach them the learning and the language of the Chaldeans.
2When they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they were even more quiet. He said, 3“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict tradition of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as you all are today.
14But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. 15From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Study is a way to equip for future calling
17Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18At the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing them in, the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19The king talked with them; and among them all was found no one like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. 20In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were in all his realm.
29Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.
14“You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. 15Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. 16Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.
37Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and great commandment. 39A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Study is a good chance to develop diligence and perseverance
23And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
4He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth. 5He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame.
6Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise; 7which having no chief, overseer, or ruler, 8provides her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.
24“There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise: 25The ants are not a strong people, yet they provide their food in the summer.
11We desire that each one of you may show the same diligence to the fullness of hope even to the end, 12that you won’t be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherited the promises.
3Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; 4and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
7Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season if we don’t give up.
Natural science point to God
20For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity, that they may be without excuse.
1The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. 2Day after day they pour out speech, and night after night they display knowledge.
7“But ask the animals now, and they will teach you; the birds of the sky, and they will tell you. 8Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you. The fish of the sea will declare to you. 9Who doesn’t know that in all these, the LORD’s hand has done this, 10in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?
26Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these, who brings out their army by number. He calls them all by name. By the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power, not one is lacking.
15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For by him all things were created in the heavens and on the earth, visible things and invisible things, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things have been created through him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things are held together.
Illustrations
Young Jesus was learning in the temple courts (Luke 2:46-52)
Young David got trained while tending sheep (1 Samuel 17:34-37)
We are each entrusted with natural talents from God, and we should make use of the talents to serve the Kingdom (Matthew 25:14-30)
Prayer
Abba Father, you alone are the God who gives life to everyone. Today we come before you with all humility as parents. We are so thankful that you have chosen us to be your fellow workers in building up our children on this parenting journey.
O Lord our God, you know that sometimes we struggle with our children when it comes to their studies. We get angry when they make mistakes. We carry unrealistic expectations in our hearts. Now we ask for your forgiveness, and may the blood of Jesus wash away our sins. We want to surrender ourselves fully and depend completely on you.
O Lord our God, please give us wisdom, patience, and discernment so that we may know how to help our children. Guard our hearts so that we do not focus only on their studies, but also on the their hearts. Give our children a heavenly perspective on the study so that through it they may encounter you. May they shine as the light of the world and live for you.
In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.