QKAG: Issue # 64

PAST ISSUE # 64
Questions Kids Ask About God

Question: How do I choose good toys?

Answer: There are so many kinds of toys that a parent or a child can be bewildered by the choices. As a parent, it is difficult to choose a good toy for your child because a child thinks differently from an adult. As a child, it is difficult to choose a good toy because of the huge variety. Thus, it takes research, discernment and common sense to choose an appropriate toy for a child.
A good toy should be enjoyable, fun and educational at the same time. As Christians, we need to examine each toy before purchasing it for our child. A good toy should NOT promote or glamourize negative elements of the society, e.g. violence, the occult, materialism, narcissism, etc. A good toy should NOT draw a child away from his time with God, his family and friends. A good toy should NOT cause a child to be addicted to it until it becomes an idol. A good toy should NOT cause a child to doubt Biblical truths or question sound family values.
It is vital to choose a good toy because children are very impressionable when they are young. They are heavily influenced by the media, their peers and the environment.

Key Bible verses:
John 3:19; 1 John 1:5-6, 5:21

My views:
In Singapore and many parts of the world, children are raving about a popular electronic game from Japan. My nephews and nieces play it on their electronic game sets, buy the toys and cards, watch the cartoons every Saturday, talk about it incessantly, and even trade the cards in school! Is such a toy good? At first, it may seem like harmless fun. But it causes harm in the long term. Because this toy and its cartoon promote violence, my 5 years old niece has no qualms of hitting her elder sister. She justifies her actions because her favorite cartoon characters fight for "honour" and "victory" (Matthew 5:39, 44). Because of the clever marketing and merchandising of this toy, its trading cards and electronic games are highly addictive, my nephews spend a great portion of their waking hours playing, thinking, talking and fantasying about it. Is such a toy good?
If you have such toys or know a child who has such toys, talk to him and pray with him. Never force a child to throw away his bad toys, pray that God will convict the child to know what is right and wrong.
Before you buy your next toy, ask yourself whether Jesus would play this toy with you. If in doubt, put it back and find a good toy that Jesus would play with. Related topic in Issue # 40.

Prayer:
(You may pray along with your child)
Lord Jesus, please forgive me for playing with bad toys that have glorified the kingdom of darkness rather than You. Please forgive me for spending more time with these toys than with You and my family. I want to give up all of these bad toys. Please help me to steer clear of these toys. On my next trip to the toy shop, please help me to choose good toys to play with. I ask for your blessings and protection. Thank You, Lord Jesus. I love You. Amen.

Last words...
"A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." (Galatians 5:9)
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