The Bible: A Family’s Guide to Life
Faith lessons and family values are rooted at home, in what a child learns, observes, and lives each day. So, how well do your children know the Bible, God’s Guidebook for life? Can your children defend their beliefs? Can they stick to biblical principles and family values despite the whims of society?
I’ve noticed in parenting classes many moms and dads don’t feel well-equipped to lead their families in faith matters. Let me reassure you.
1. You do not have to be a theologian.
2. You do not have to be a bible study teacher.
3. You are not required to have all the answers. No one does.
My husband, Scott, and I struggled too. Early on as parents with young children, we decided we were going to learn as a family, depend on our church for support, and accept the fact there would be questions from the boys we couldn’t answer. It was a good working model for us.
When the boys were older, we changed our tactics. Fitting in faith lessons can be difficult as kids mature. Life seems to accelerate. Everyday is spent in the fast lane with homework, sports, and activities. Intentional quiet evenings with preschoolers and elementary age children are in the past. But the Bible was our still our key, the family map and tool for faith and value lessons. This was especially true when we hit the inevitable speed bumps in life with teens.
The B.I.B.L.E., basic instructions before leaving earth, is a roadmap, instruction book, and communication tool all rolled into one. How to live and how to be in relationship and communicate with God and others are all included in this bestselling book. The Bible is 100% true. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Reading the Word of God with children of any age provides a solid foundation in faith. The lessons learned today will translate into truth for the future when the going gets rough. And don’t dismiss your own intentional time in the Word. When Mom and Dad lean on God and scripture, children of all ages learn to do the same. These practices become habits kids can fall back on in times of need and celebration. The more kids know, the more they have to rely on. Pray to be able to guide kids to develop faith habits to last a lifetime.
These foundational faith practices, praying and reading the Word of God, come from intentional leading on the part of the parent. Can any of us do it perfectly? No! But be assured, where we are lacking, God is filling in the gaps.
Here are a few suggestions for weaving the Word into your daily family life and providing a foundation of faith and values that will give your kids stability in an ever-changing world.
Tips for Little Kids
- Find a good time that works for your family. Try out a few different times of day; bedtime, breakfast, after dinner.
- Begin with stories. Throughout the New Testament Jesus taught in parables and stories. He asked questions too. Follow His example.
- Short people = short lessons. The younger the child, the shorter the verse or scripture lesson.
Strategies for Big Kids
- Choose a daily devotional that includes Bible verses. The real-life stories will capture interest. The scripture will encourage.
- Use a concordance to find specific verses to meet the needs of your tween/teen. For example, anxiety is the focus in Philippians 4:6, Hebrews 13:5-6, and Luke 12:22-31.
- Post verses on the bathroom mirror to equip and encourage your kids. Text words of faith and encouragement.
“Parents are number one in leading youth to Christ.”1 The Bible is our parenting tool. Learn alongside your child. Raising Little Kids with Big Love and Raising Big Kids with Supernatural Love include many tips and ideas for sharing biblical truth with young children to tweens, teens, and young adults. God’s Word will always accomplish what the Lord has determined. That’s a promise we as parents can count on, always.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:10-11
© 2022 Becky Danielson. All rights reserved.
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