Parent's Page
Help your children grow spiritually by reading the Bible to them or studying it with them.
Proverbs 22:6 tells to train a child when he or she is very young and when we do, the child will learn lessons that will help him or her throughout life. Those verses don't mean your child won't make mistakes. All children do. All grown ups do. But what it means is that when your child hits a rough patch in life or makes bad choices, he or she will be able to rely on that early Bible training to help him or her survive the experience and perhaps even thrive.
You've heard the phrase: "The family that prays together stays together"? Well it's also true that "The family that reads the Bible together also has a better chance of staying together." That's because when we read God's Word, it strengthens us. So the more people in your house who read the Bible, the more strong people you'll have in your home. That makes the family stronger. And God's love will be in more hearts so there will be more love and harmony at home.
Just a little reading each week can go a long way. It's more important to be consistent. For instance, some moms have read a few Bible verses over the evening meal, maybe once a week, say on a weeknight or/and a Sunday night supper. Kids may groan at first, but after a while, you may see positive responses from them. If they have questions you can't answer, tell them you'll ask a pastor and get back to them.
Your child is growing up in a time when evil is increasing and the Devil is after children, trying to pollute their minds. Go online, and see all the confusing and evil being promoted. Children are being told lies of various sorts. They are told they can change their sex. Girls are told abortion is a choice a woman can make. But the Bible says a woman's body is not her own. And if she is a Christian, she has given her body to Jesus (1 Corinthians 6: 19-20). Schools are teaching history in ways that aren't factual. Even in schools it is hard for a child to get the truth. In fact, children are not really safe in schools as they once were. Shootings happen in classroom. This generation needs to know God and have support of their parents so that they can deal with an out of control world.
Buy your child a personal Bible. Keep one handy in your home. Encourage your child to go to church and enroll them in Sunday School and VBS.
When you bring your child to the Bible, you're bringing him or her to God himself and God will lead your child in the right direction and away from what it harmful. When you look at families who do read the Bible, you will find a strength and peace as well as wisdom because they are being led by God Almighty.
And one last, but important thing: Your child needs to see that you believe God matters. Set time aside daily to build up your spirit by reading your Bible for at least a couple of minutes or a verse a day. First thing in the morning is good because it sets the tone for the day. So when you read the Bible with your child she or he will see that God matters personally to you. Your whole family will benefit. God will see to it.
Action Steps:
Buy each child a personal Bible and write his or her name on it, may with encouraging words. Don't be surprised if the child keeps it for life.
Read at least one verse per week and explain it. A verse is really just a sentence. Rely on your pastor or Sunday School teacher for help.
Consider doing it over a meal. The cozy atmosphere encourages listening.
Invite a friend to the Bible time, particularly over a meal. Our top job after being saved is to tell others about Jesus so they can be saved too. (John 3:16, Romans 10: 9-10).
