As parents, we have a responsibility to shape and mould the children God has given us. Sometimes we think it’s in the big things but it comes down to the little things that we do with our kids, the habits we form in our homes, and the culture we permit. I am currently studying the Book of Genesis and it’s interesting to see how Abraham taught hospitality to his entire household so much so that long after Lot his Cousin left his house he gladly and warmly entertained strangers just the way Abraham did. Check Genesis 18 & Genesis 19.
John Maxwell the renowned Leadership Expert says “You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” Let me add – the secret of Spiritual Growth for us and our kids come down to the little things we do daily.
It only takes a little extra effort, a little more intentionality and you will be shocked at the things you would have deposited in your kids over time. If we are particular about what our children eat, what they wear, who they visit, the parties they attend, we should also add the spiritual habits they also grow up with. It’s the same energy and effort applied in those areas that can also be applied here.
A Senior Children’s Teacher and Mother of grown children in Nigeria Teacher Nneka of Family Word Center once said “We must refuse to raise intellectual or academic giant and spiritual dwarfs. We send children to the best schools, give them quality education, empower them with extracurricular activities, and in many cases, we leave the spiritual aspect out. We should also equip our children with spiritual knowledge that would build their capacity to wade through life without turning to other sources and preserve their eternity”.
Here are 5 Habits to adopt and do with your kids this year.
- Create a Prayer Board or Prayer Jar – For every prayer, for every request – Just ask them – Have you Prayed about it? Tell them – Pray about it and stick it on the Board or put it in the prayer jar. If you want to really catch their attention, personalize the Board and make it attractive and colourful. See the picture below.
- Learn Bible Verses Monthly – I chose Monthly here to allow the scripture to sink somewhere into their system. Repetition is the language of children. If you still have growing children, you can learn one scripture in a quarter. It’s not how many but how much of it they know, understand, and has gone deep into their spirit. Go at the pace of your kids but just make sure they are learning the scriptures.
- Adopt a Country and Pray – This sounds funny but it’s actually a mini Geography Class. I am a firm believer in the fact that we can teach Gods word in a way children can easily connect and relate. This is one of it! As you pick a country you can do a research about it, get the map and post it where it can be easily found. For instance you can put it in the rest room. As many times as they visit they should pray! To make it more engaging, let the children own the process. Let them choose the country themselves.
- Daily Morning Prayer Routine before leaving the house for School. It’s little and may seem insignificant but something is being formed in these children. Jesus said “Don’t stop the children from coming to me” so as many times as they do this, heaven is rejoicing. I still remember my mom asking my sisters and i to hold hands to pray every day before going to school. There was also a scripture we recited after every prayer session. I still remember the scripture to this day! At night, do a gratitude session. Ask them “ Tell me one thing you are grateful for that happened today”. Get ready to listen to interesting responses.
- Make Sunday your true Sabbath. It doesn’t have to be anything formal. You can listen to a Bible Cartoon together as a family. I highly recommend Super Book or Bible Adventures by Life Kids. I love them so much and even though it’s for kids it blesses me every time. Print scripture Coloring Sheets or get our Bible Verse Colouring Book that contains 90+ Scriptures on Amazon and let your kids learn as they color. (It is available Worldwide. Just search for Bible Verse Colouring book for kids by Inlushmeadows or use these links. – UK, Canada, Germany, Australia
Finally, let’s leave the naysayers and focus on doing all that we can. Yes, sometimes even after doing all these, children still have the free will to choose. Our prayer is that they choose life and abide. The most important thing is when we stand before God let us be able to say, Father, i did all that you asked me to do. I gave it my best shot with your grace and mercy.
God never fails so let’s keep parenting for the audience of one.
With Love, Morolake