How can we ensure our children "walk in the truth" daily? Our Highest Joy “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4) Understanding “Truth” • Truth is not an abstract idea; it is embodied in Jesus Himself—“I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:6) • To walk in truth is to order life by God’s unchanging Word rather than shifting cultural winds. (Psalm 119:160) The Parent’s First Task: Walk the Truth Personally • Children imitate what we live far more than what we say. (1 Corinthians 11:1) • Daily, visible practices—prayer, Scripture reading, repentance, forgiveness—teach more loudly than lectures. • “If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in darkness, we lie.” (1 John 1:6) Consistency matters. Fill the Home with Scripture • Post God’s Word where eyes naturally land: fridge doors, mirrors, lunchboxes. (Deuteronomy 6:9) • Make family worship normal—short passages, a hymn or praise song, and a brief discussion. • Memorize verses together; tie them to everyday events (e.g., Philippians 2:14 at chore time). Teach Diligently, Not Sporadically • “These words… you shall teach them diligently to your children.” (Deuteronomy 6:7) • Incorporate Scripture in car rides, dinner conversations, and bedtime. • Tie every moral correction back to a biblical principle rather than mere preference. Model Covenant Community • Regular, joyful church attendance shows that worship is priority, not optional. (Hebrews 10:24-25) • Involve children in service—ushering, nursery, mission projects—so they see faith lived outwardly. • Encourage friendships with peers who also love the Lord; “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) Guard Their Minds from Falsehood • Monitor media intake with the same vigilance used for physical safety. (Proverbs 4:23) • Teach discernment: compare messages in music, movies, and textbooks to Scripture. • Provide godly alternatives rather than only prohibitions. Equip Them for Spiritual Battle • “Put on the full armor of God.” (Ephesians 6:11) Walk through the armor pieces and pray them on together. • Help them recognize and resist lies: “Did God really say…?” is still the enemy’s tactic. (Genesis 3:1) • Train them to answer questions about their faith with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15) Encourage Personal Ownership of Faith • Invite them to keep a prayer journal; celebrate answered prayers. • When they sin, lead them to confess to Christ directly, experiencing His forgiveness firsthand. (1 John 1:9) • Provide age-appropriate opportunities to share the gospel—classroom conversations, sports teams, social media. Celebrate Every Step in the Truth • Verbal affirmation when they choose honesty, kindness, or courage reinforces godly choices. • Share testimonies of how you see God at work in them; this fuels perseverance. • Mark spiritual milestones—baptism anniversaries, mission trips, completion of a Bible reading plan—with family celebrations. Final Encouragement Planting and watering belong to us; growth belongs to God. (1 Corinthians 3:6-7) Our faithful, consistent investment creates fertile soil in which the Spirit brings our children to walk—day after day—in the liberating truth of Christ. |
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