“If we don’t teach our children to follow Christ, the world will teach them not to.”
My 10-year-old son’s classmate came over to visit, and we decided to buy some pizza for the kids. We bought pepperoni and BBQ chicken. I was very surprised when my son’s friend who is Muslim politely declined to eat the pepperoni. Pepperoni is from pigs and it is considered unclean for Muslins. I thought about myself as a child, I would have eaten the pizza without a second thought LOL!!!!
As I spoke to his Mum, I realised a number of things his parents had done to ensure he was grounded in his faith. He attended Arabic lessons 2-3 times a week, even though he was young he participated in the various traditions of the faith e.g the annual 30 days fast (even during school term).
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)
As a parent, you are your child’s first pastor. And it is a role we need to give priority to and take very seriously.
How can you pastor your child?
1. Model the right example: Children learn more from what you do than what you say. Evidence clearly shows that the single most important social influence on the religious and spiritual lives of children are their parents. The greatest inheritance you can leave your children is a not money but a pattern of life (godly life). As parents, it is more important to live out the lessons God is teaching us, daily. When His Word is the foundation of how we handle things, our children will see His Truth coming to life in our lives.
2 Have family faith practices: Family faith practices such as — faith conversations, family devotions and prayer, family rituals influence the faith lives of children. Do you have any family “traditions and practices” you are passing on? Remember that doing nothing and not being consistent are unintentionally passed on to your child
3 Faith in action: Family members’ expressions of respect and love create an atmosphere promoting faith. Families and households find ways to navigate the challenges and stresses of daily life with approaches marked by respect, equal regard, open communication, and cooperation.
4. Be intentional: As a parent you need to be intentional about bringing up your child in your faith. This mean identifying what needs to be done and consistently doing it. From praying for them consistently to daily bible study, buying bible resources, attending bible summer camp, taking them along with you to church events and evangelism, etc. Spend regular quality time to ask and explain to your children about the Bible, their faith and their understanding of what the world vs the bible says about topical issues like homosexuality, sex, bullying, etc.
We haven’t been to physical church in over 12 weeks. Children need bible teaching, even when the church is closed. Even with the planned opening of Churches, there is a strong possibility that most people would not be able to go to church with the restrictions on numbers.
9ijakids feels led at this time to make its bible games FREE to play online from now to December 2020. Over 40 fun and interactive bible games are tailored to help children know more about God’s word.
If you would like FREE access, send email to lola@9ijakids.com with the subject “I Want FREE Access”
