Are Our Children Living in Spiritual Poverty?

Are our children living in spiritual poverty? Poverty comes in many shapes and sizes. Financial poverty is the most visible. Experiential poverty results from limiting learning experience. But what about when we neglect faith matters and lead children to spiritual poverty?

Spiritual poverty results when we as parents leave faith formation up to the church. I’ve heard this called “dry cleaner parenting”. The idea is to drop off the kids, have them “cleaned up” at church, then pick them up ready to go. Unless children live with the precepts and teachings of Jesus everyday, the few hours they spend at church will have little impact in their lives. The church is the support network, not the primary trainer and teacher, that’s our job as parents.

Ten Truths in Training Kids Spiritually

1. You do not need to be a bible scholar to teach your kids about Jesus. Learn alongside your children.
2. Pray with and for your spouse and children. Start at meals and bedtime.
3. Read the bible together, as a family. Start with the Book of John.
4.  Ask for help. The church is your family’s resource center and support network.
5. Weave faith discussions into daily conversations with your children.
6. Answer questions honestly. If you don’t know the answer, it’s OKAY! Research with the kids.
7. Volunteer to teach Sunday school or vacation bible school. On the job training is great!
8. Build relationships with other parents who desire to be spiritual leaders with their children.
9. The Lord will supply you with all you need to make a difference in the spiritual life of your child. Ask for wisdom, opportunity, and perseverance.
10. Realize you were chosen to be the parent of your child. Perfection on our part is not necessary. Our Heavenly Father is the only Perfect Parent.

© 2019 Becky Danielson. All rights reserved.
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