How important is it to shepherd our kids in a way that allows for a spiritual foundation to be built in their lives? It’s vital – it’s one of the most important things you are privileged to do as a Christian parent.
Sometimes as Christian parents we can be duped into thinking that simply due to the fact that we are church attenders that talk about God here and there, that we are creating faith-defining scenarios for our children. That’s like thinking hanging out at the gym gets you great abs.
Too many parents are leaving their children’s spiritual foundation to chance, or off-loading their children’s discipleship to their church’s youth pastor. Neither of those scenarios is what the Bible endorses.
Too many parents are leaving their children’s spiritual foundation to chance, or off-loading their children’s discipleship to their church’s youth pastor. Neither of those scenarios are what the Bible endorses. Click To TweetParenting Proactivity
Parents have an obligation to be proactive in the spiritual leadership of their children – not just hope that our kids are being grounded in their Christian faith. We have to create scenarios that allow for a foundation to be built and then trust in God for the results.
“And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Sometimes as parents we just need a reminder of the things that are important in our shepherding efforts. Here are ten things that I have seen in over 20 years of student ministry and pastoral ministry that need to be a priority in the shepherding of our kids to allow for a spiritual foundation to be built.
Ten Parenting Actions for Developing a Spiritual Foundation:
- Talk about the Word in your home casually, and spend time in the Word together as a family.
- From a young age, train your kids to have a personal, daily Quiet Time.
- Make church a priority over sports and other activities.
- Treat student growth programs at the church (things like ‘Awana’ and youth group) as non-negotiables.
- Discipleship should be primarily a parenting priority, not a pastoral.
- Take the time to ask about faith struggles they’re having. Answer tough questions, and if you can’t, get help.
- Positively reinforce their godly friendships as their main circle of friends (while also encouraging them to share the gospel with their lost friends).
- Authority structures need to be talked about and adhered to. Too many teens are entering adulthood not realizing Christ is their Lord/Master and the church is not an option.
- Make it possible (and a priority) for your kids to serve in church. This can happen in a variety of creative ways.
And maybe most importantly:
- Model these things in your own life (yes, that may mean really stepping up your spiritual game, aka your walk with Christ).
Obviously, we honor the Lord with our actions and leave the results to Him. Sometimes kids embrace these truths at different phases of life (some, not till their adult years). But either way, we need to lay an intentional faith foundation while our kids are still under our protective influence in the home.
What about you? What actions have you incorporated into your parenting to develop a faith foundation?
Scott Foreman is the Executive Pastor at Fellowship Bible Church in Mullica Hill, New Jersey. He has been active in full-time vocational ministry for over 20 years as a Camp Director, Radio Host, Missionary, and now Pastor. You can follow him here at The Ministry Dad, and also on Twitter: @scottdforeman.