Discipling Our Children in Christ
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.” -Proverbs 22:6
As parents, we have been entrusted with providing for our children’s physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs. God tells us in the Bible that we are also to teach our children about Him, His faithfulness, character, and the hope we can have in Jesus.
God’s Word, the Bible, commands parents to teach and train up their children in the ways they should go. And in teaching them about who God is, they begin to understand who they are and what their worth is to Him.
Social media, television, entertainers, classmates, technology apps, and complete strangers all want to influence our children. This is why teaching our children about God is vital. His voice must become the most recognizable voice in their lives, and this begins at home. We must teach our children who Jesus is and their need for Him. They need to know that they have been created for good and holy purposes. God is for them, not against them. He has good plans for them. He is with them always. They are His very own workmanship, His masterpiece!
Pointing our children toward God teaches our children that God is good. His plans for them are good. He will never leave or forsake them. His love is unconditional and everlasting.
Reading the Bible with our children, praying with and over our children, and making Christ-centered communities a priority—such as youth groups and Bible studies—are great ways to impress God’s Word on the hearts of our children. Reminding our children who they are in Christ, every day, can be both empowering and encouraging. Making church a priority and visiting with our children about Jesus are great ways to disciple our children toward Christ.
We don’t have to know all the answers our children will ask us about Jesus. What we don’t know or understand ourselves, we can learn alongside them. (Spiritual growth in the family circle is a beautiful thing.) One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is to model our own discipleship in front of them. When our children hear us pray and see us leaning on and trusting in Jesus, even when we make mistakes, they will witness God’s goodness, provision, faithfulness, and forgiveness.
As we disciple our children toward Christ, we get to trust and posture ourselves in faith and believe that God is using our obedience for His glory. We get to play an active role in our children’s spiritual walk with Jesus. What a gift God has given to us!
Pray and ask God to help you teach, lead, and feed the Word of God to your children.