4 Tips For Parenting The Next Generation
One of the greatest privileges awarded to us in this life is the opportunity to parent, raise and disciple God’s children in our own home. The role of a parent is not a job to take lightly, it’s one that requires great dedication and sacrifice, but through prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit, it’s one that we can do well and full of joy. Here are (and are certainly not limited to) 4 tips to incorporate into our parenting journey while we raise and set the next generation up for success.
1. STEWARD YOUR CHILDREN’S KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
In Daniel 11:32 NKJV the Bible says, “But the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” Knowing God is the foundation for every person and the key that unlocks the door to supernatural strength and fruitful works. If this is so important for us, how much more integral is it that we introduce our children to this same God? As parents, we are the stewards of our young children’s knowledge of God. As they get older and have their own experiences, they will get to know Him for themselves, but as juveniles, we frame the lens through which they see Him and His Word. Deuteronomy 4:9 NLT puts it this way: “But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.” Have you ever been in a conversation with someone and a third person approaches? Naturally, you include them in the conversation but forget the possibility that the two individuals may know you, but not each other. It’s our job as parents to make the introduction between our young kids and their Heavenly Father.
2. MODEL OBEDIENCE FIRST
Kids are smarter than we often realize. They can smell inauthenticity from a mile away. It would be beneficial for us to remember that our children see more of us - the real us - than any other person. If we say one thing on a Sunday and do something different for the rest of the week, it’s not the pastor or the elders at church that think we’re fake, but our kids. We have to model obedience before we can expect obedience. As the common saying goes, “Monkey see, monkey do” - our children don’t care as much about what we say, as they care about and follow what we do.
3. MANAGE CONVERSATIONS AND QUESTIONS
While sometimes conversing with our kids can make us feel like talking with a wall would be more effective, kids actually are intelligent sponges, taking in much of what
we are saying. Their little minds are running a mile a minute, hence their lists upon lists of seemingly never-ending questions. Inquiring minds, desire answers. As adults we want our questions answered, so it’s important that we position our hearts and determine in our minds that we will be the type of parents that communicate with our kids while also realizing “I don’t know, but I will find out” is a perfectly acceptable answer when we do need to seek out further wisdom on certain topics. Don’t run away from the hard questions. Allow your dining room table to be a safe space where questions are asked and answers are discussed together as a family. Conversations are a beautiful form of discipleship.
4. FACILITATE YOUR CHILDREN’S PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
There are three ways we can practically facilitate our children’s personal experience with God: firstly we need to be hosting the presence of God ourselves. In our home, in our car, in our conversations. Are our kids experiencing the presence of God on a daily basis? Or is it a foreign concept only seen on certain Sunday mornings? Like a sheep learns the voice of a shepherd in the presence of the shepherd, we learn the voice of God in the presence of God. Secondly, we can facilitate our children’s experience with God by making church a priority and taking them with us to the house of God. See to it that a Sunday spent outside of God’s house is strange. Thirdly, we can facilitate their experience by simply doing what the Bible says we should do so that we can have what the Bible says we can have. If we believe it, we should see it ... and so should they.
Dads and Moms, you are the appointed parents for your children. It bears repeating to remind you that you can do it and on days more challenging than others, surround yourself with a community of other like-minded parents who can come alongside of you, modeling and encouraging you in the things of God. The Bible promises us in the book of James that if we would just ask God for wisdom, He would pour it out on us. You have what it takes and you can resource whatever you need. Now confidently go and raise those world changers.
*Legacy Church is a future church plant launching in January 2024. If you are reading this and are in the Bradenton region - we would love to connect with you and your family! Reach out to us on any social media platform, we want to hear from you.