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Six simple ways to bring faith into focus for families every day of the week.
Lists of things seem to be the popular way to get people to click on your social media sites. Type “lists” into the search window, and things pop up like “List of 200 journal prompts,” “The ultimate summer bucket list,” and “Want to get organized in 2021? Try these 39 lists.”
When it comes to parenting, there are lists and books, schools of thought and lots of advice. The reality is that, regardless of which book you read or the research you do, nothing will help you learn about parenting your children more than actually parenting your children.
For Christian parents, one book spells out the best way of raising kids: the Bible. Here God clearly states his expectations for his people. Deuteronomy 6:5-9 emphasizes the importance of daily faith interactions with your children: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
The gospels repeat the thought. We hear Jesus’ personal invitation for children to learn of him: “People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these’ ” (Luke 18:15,16).
We know that the precious truths of God’s Word are for our children, but often it can prove challenging to incorporate Bible truths into diaper changes and soccer games. Sometimes it may be tempting to let things slide, thinking the kids will learn these things when they go to church or Sunday school.
But we can’t just save Jesus for Sundays! We want our children to have a personal relationship with their Savior, and we have the responsibility to guide them on this daily journey. Here is a list that may help.
Of course, the best way to stay faith focused is personal witnessing. When children see their parents in the Word, when they hear them discussing their faith and failures, when they see them giving and receiving forgiveness, all of these provide solid examples for God’s children to emulate.
The law tells us it is our responsibility to raise our children in the training and admonition of the Lord. The gospel assures us it is our privilege to give this precious gift to our children. What a joy it is to share our faith daily and not just save Jesus for Sundays!
Author: Pam Holz
Volume 108, Number 10
Issue: October 2021