The relationship between Jesus and his disciples is one that many can understand and desire in their own personal relationships, especially in a family. The level of love and respect that comes from both sides of that relationship and the care concealed in the lessons He taught the disciples are all things that many parents try to develop with their own kids. We were gifted the perfect example in Jesus, and while we ourselves are far from perfect, there is still so much we can learn and apply.
Jesus was wise, humble, and obedient to His Father. He lived a faultless life and carried out the will of God for His life. As I pursue my relationship with Christ, I am challenged to adopt these principles individually and steward my children in a way that grants them wisdom to do the same. Jesus was the ultimate example to His disciples and to us, modeling lessons on how to live for His Father. If I desire for my own little disciples to know Christ, it’s imperative that I faithfully model the characteristics of Jesus for them, as their first teacher.
In order to keep the teachings of Jesus at the forefront of my life, I study God’s Word. There are so many life lessons in the Bible, and God is always illuminating important portions that I can apply in my personal situations. I would recommend the Bible for any parent needing a guide for how to raise their children. The Word is frequently transforming my life and as that happens, I am able to gain wisdom on how to love and teach my children. In 2011, I began seriously reading the Bible for myself, but had to purchase a tween Bible; it was the only translation I halfway understood at the time! Now, I love the NLT and Amplified Study bible versions. There are so many translations and versions available that will assist with interpretation.
Watching TV can be educational, too! Our family loves CBN’s SuperBook, an animated series of events from the Old and New Testament. The creators do an exceptional job presenting the context in an engaging way for both parents and children while maintaining the message. The Bible stories are told on a level that my kids understand and enjoy. After each episode, my husband and I have discussions with our children about what they just watched and see what light God is placing in their little hearts.
4 Ways to Build a Strong Foundation for Your Children
I’d like to leave you with four ways to build a strong foundation for your little disciplines to grow in Christ.
- Be transparent about your own journey (adjust to be age-appropriate, if necessary).
- If you aren’t exactly where you’d like to be, accept the call to walk faithfully with Jesus, and do not be lukewarm.
- Share God’s truth with your children daily by enlightening them on how to apply it to their lives.
- Grant them the same grace, forgiveness and unconditional love that Christ grants you daily!
