When I was in 11th grade at my church growing up, my Sunday School teacher taught us two new words: Orthodoxym and Orthopraxy. Orthodoxy was described to us as being “correct belief,” and Orthopraxy was “correct conduct.” I think our churches sometimes focus so much on correct conduct that we miss the correct belief. Eastmont Kids is not in the business of just helping raise well-behaved, quiet kids who know how to mind their manners. If that is all that we achieve then we have completely missed the mark. Of course, that’s a byproduct that we would love to see, but first and foremost, we want our kids to know who God is, know who Jesus is, and, based on that correct understanding, choose to love, serve, obey and follow Him.
With that being the goal, it is important that, from cradle to death, we as believers continue to strive to learn and know more about “the study of God” as this correct understanding pushes us to live for Him.
I’m so excited that we have so many in the church that share this sentiment. At the beginning of Wednesday Night activities, the kids have a music time with Mrs. Sue Ellen Ballard. It originated with preparing for the Carols of Christmas, but now continues to help the kids foster a love of music and build a foundation for our kids to have this “correct belief.” Each week we are going through a question in the New City Catechism that has been put to song. These questions are helping our kids learn big, theological truths that not only deepen their understanding, but their love of God. There is an app if you want to follow along.
Jeremiah 9:23-24
Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.“
John 17:3
And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.