by Dr. Larry Ollison, Ph.D. 

When I was seven years old I loved Vacation Bible School. It was a time of making baskets out of ice-cream sticks and ceramic bowls for Mom. We would hear stories about Noah and the Ark, Daniel in the Lions’ Den and Moses and the Egyptians. It was fun.

However, one time the pastor of the church said he wanted to speak to the children before we went home. So, they took us all into a classroom and he began to teach. Well, actually he began to preach. He preached a blistering message about hell. In fact he preached as though he had just gotten back. The average child was under ten years old. We sat in shock as he vividly described screaming and gnashing of teeth.

That night while lying in bed, I started thinking about the sermon I had heard that day at Bible School. Needless to say, I got scared. I jumped out of bed, turned on the light and ran into my mother’s room.

I remember jumping on the bed and asking Mom this question. I said, “Mom, I’ve been told all these nursery rhymes and fairy tales, and later I was told they were not true. Isn’t that right?” “That’s right,” Mom said. “Well then,” I asked, “What about the devil? Is he real?”

I wanted her to tell me he was just like the monsters in the fairy tales. But my mother said, “Yes Son, he is real, but you don’t have to fear him if you believe in Jesus.” Then she sat me down and told me about Jesus in a way I could understand. I accepted Jesus that night. It was, of course, the greatest decision of my life.

It’s wonderful to know there are Christian adults who teach children the truth. Why should we teach our children about fairy tales. I don’t want to get into a deep theological discussion about their origins, but what I am saying is this. With the same breath it takes to tell about the Easter Bunny, we could be talking about the resurrection of Jesus.

Also, when we continually tell our children earthly myths and later have to tell them they were untrue, it plants the seeds of doubt in their minds about the true stories they are told in the Bible.

Isaiah 38:19 says, “The father (referring to earthly fathers), shall make known Your truth to the children.”

We need to make known the truths of God to our children. Many youngsters today are very confused. They hear one thing at church and then something different at home. This should not be. We must not be in conflict with the Word of God. And let’s get real. Knowing the Word will set you free. Knowing everything in the world there is to know about fairy tales won’t help you at all.

Jesus said in John 8:31 & 32, “If you continue in My Word, then you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”