What do we want to teach our children when it comes to God? And how do we do that? These are some big questions. When I look at myself it’s my biggest desire for my kids to have a personal relationship with Jesus for the rest of their lives. It’s my prayer that they will follow Him and be builders in God’s Kingdom. I can only pray and hope that they will, it’s their decision, but where I can, I hope to influence them in a good way. I hope to set an example and to learn them God’s ways.
Aren’t our kids the first flock that God puts into our care.
In 1 Peter 5:2-3 (NIV) is written:
2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
Aren’t our kids the first flock that God puts into our care. And aren’t we more than willing to serve God and making Him known to our children?
5 things God’s children should never worry about
When I searched for this verse on the internet I came across an image that listed 5 things God’s children should never worry about. And I found it very matching with what I find important to teach my children. So I translated it for you to help you teach the core value to your kids:
- Being forsaken, God will never leave you, He is always with you. Hebrews 13:5
- Feeling useless, God made you fearfully and wonderfully in His image, we are precious and valuable to Him. 1 Corinthians 12 and Isaiah 43:3
- The future, God has good plans for you, a hopeful future. Jeremiah 29:11
- Bothering God with prayer, we can always come to Him with anything, He is never asleep, He longs for us to communicate with Him and cast all our cares on Him. 1 Peter 5:7, Thessalians 5:17
- Feeling unforgiven, God is merciful and forgiving, His grace is new every morning and Jesus died for all our sins so we can be forgiven. 1 John 1:9
And to know all this about God, it’s necessary to know Him in a personal way. So how do we bring our kids in this personal relationship or at least encourage them and set an example?
Learn from each other
I think there are many different ways and answers to that question and this would be a great example of how we can learn from each other and with each other. I’ll share what I (try to) do. And maybe you can share your ideas below….
My oldest son is 7 years old, in the evening we read a diary, especially for his age group. Because when he was younger we read the children’s Bible over and over again, he is familiar with the bible stories and persons from the Bible. Now it is great to do this diary because it is written on a theme, it has examples from our daily lives, matching with verses and stories from the Bible and it has a question, prayer or an activity at the bottom. It lets him think about a certain subject which opens up to conversations. And then we pray and sing. My heart can swell if I hear him pray, he is so mature. But he also hears adults often pray out loud, so there is no uneasiness about it.
I think it is important that children can see how God is a part of your life and daily routine.
My daughter of 4 loves to sing, so when I’m in the car or at home I always put on Christian music, also familiar songs we sing in church, and in the quiet moments you hear her sing “What a beautiful name it is…” I think it is important that children can see how God is a part of your life and daily routine. When they see daddy read his Bible in the morning, when they see you pray, when they hear how you involve Jesus in your decision-making or explaining something to them, when you are involved at your church, children will see, learn and copy.
Make Jesus a part of your family life!
Read also Parenting: when you are blessed with a challenge
