3 Ways to Help Your Kids Follow Jesus

You have heard the quote, “There is a 0.0296% chance your child will become a professional athlete.  There is a 100% chance YOUR child will stand before Jesus.  What are you teaching your children?”  What parts of their lives do you focus on—week to week?  Day to day?

There is a myth that only healthy things grow.  Last time I checked, weeds and sin also grow pretty much on their own.  Growing the right things takes some gardening, some weed pulling, and some work.  As parents, it is important to know what is “GROWING” in our kids.  Success as parents is creating resilient disciples who can follow Jesus despite any storm in their lives.  Success is having kids who are dependent on the word of God and know how to fight spiritual battles.  

How do we become successful as parents?
We have already won—- Our God is sovereign.
Our Savior is alive.
Our sins are forgiven.
Our hope is secured.
Our Lord is returning.

1. Talk about Jesus at home—all the time.  Psalm 51:12, “Restore the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.”  Talk about what He did for us.  How He forgave us.  How much we owe Him for His grace and sacrifice.  Make Him part of your everyday conversation.  “Wow I am so sorry that Billy was mean to you at school, let’s pray for him. You know that Jesus died for Billy too.  I am SO glad that Jesus still loves us when we mess up like Billy, otherwise I would be in big trouble.  Jesus has forgiven me of So much!  Just like Jesus forgives us, we can forgive Billy too.  Billy may need Jesus in his life, let’s pray for that!”  I don’t think you can say Jesus enough.  It Is about making Him part of your daily conversation however you can.  And not just “Jesus loves you,” but Jesus forgives, Jesus sees and loves the unlovable, Jesus did an amazing thing by forgiving me even though I SO don’t deserve it.  Have as many spiritual conversations you can.

2. Agonize over the Christ-likeness of your Kids.  The Bible describes anguish like having the pain of child-birth.  Make it your fervent prayer.   Where our kids are in their journey to become more Christ-like should keep us up at night.  What ways are they growing to be more like Christ and what areas need work?  This is something to be constantly training them on and emphasizing.  If I am working on a certain characteristic trait, I try to find it any way I can and praise it as much as possible.  “Wow Suzy, you showed so much patience with your little sister, that was awesome.”  But I also try to put them in situations where it will be tested, so that they can learn from it and we can talk about it.  “Suzy, I need you to wait for your sister and help her finish her chores.  Was that frustrating?  How did you do?  How would Jesus have responded?”  Point them to what the Bible says about them!

3. Remember we don’t do this alone. Micah 6, “Do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God.”  Humble enough to know that He is really in charge and has the best interest in mind for your child.  God wants your child to be Christ-Like as much as you do.  More than you do!  So make sure to pray over your kids and get the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts.  I don’t know anyone who can change a heart EXCEPT for Jesus!!  Bring them to church.  Definitely send them to camp—-we see so much life change!  Partner with the men and women that love and minister to your kids!  But above all else, pray for them continually.

They will do what you DO, more than what you SAY.  So SHOW them your love and excitement for Jesus, look at where they are in their walk with God and pray often for heart change.  

Love you guys!
-Katie Jones
Former Children’s Director