Have you ever heard the expression “Children are like sponges.”? This idea has made its way into how we nurture the faith of children and I don’t believe it is helping them to develop an authentic relationship with Jesus. It may help them learn some facts and memorize Scripture, but is it creating an ideal environment for them to own their faith? Are children sponges for discipleship? Sponges for Brains? “But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t... Read more
During the Advent season, to-do lists grow and calendars fill up. We’ve got church events, Christmas parties, recitals, parades, and Nutcracker ballets to attend, plus shopping, baking, and wrapping. Plus, we are supposed to keep Christ at the center of it all! Here are three simple, but effective ideas for family Christmas discipleship. Love, Teach, Play Family Discipleship As a parent coach that helps families to disciple their children, I teach my love, teach, play approach to family discipleship. This... Read more
Do you think you are supposed to control your kids? Do you have Scripture to back it up? Often as Christian parents, we think about the Scriptures that say “Children, obey your parents” and we take responsibility for that, instead of allowing our children to own their obedience. Control in the Bible Let’s look at Ephesians 6:1-4 NLT Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and... Read more
October is National Book Month, and what better way to celebrate than by diving into some inspiring reads? Whether you’re a busy mom seeking spiritual growth or looking for engaging books to share with your children, this curated reading list has something for everyone. Let’s embrace the autumn chill with warm blankets, hot cocoa, and good books! This may contain some affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a... Read more
Many Christian parents feel it is best to leave Bible teaching to the “experts” at the church. But, guess what! Most of those “experts” are parent volunteers, just like you. You are more than capable of teaching your child how to use the Bible, even if you haven’t picked it up in a while yourself. Here’s the first part of how to teach your kids to use the Bible. What is the Bible? To use the Bible, your kids... Read more
Do you have a consistent habit of spending time with God? It can be so hard to do with kids at home. Yet, Deuteronomy 6:5-7 shows us that discipling our children starts with us loving God. It is from that love of God that our teaching, discipling, and nurturing the faith of our children flows. Otherwise, you will be trying to work for God instead of with him. This leads to burnout and your kids seeing through the inauthenticity. Do... Read more
As parents and children’s ministry leaders, we often unintentionally focus on teaching our kids facts about God rather than helping them develop a genuine relationship with Him. This approach, while well-intentioned, may not effectively nurture their faith. Let’s explore the difference between knowing facts about God and truly knowing Him. Understanding Two Types of “Knowing” In Spanish, there are two verbs for “to know”: “Saber” – to know facts or information “Conocer” – to be familiar with a person, to... Read more
I firmly believe all school choices are valid and no single type of schooling is right for all families. Public school is the right choice for our family, but I know it isn’t right for all families. So, wherever your children are going to school, public, private, or at home, here is a back-to-school prayer to pray with your children. You can read more about “Should Christians Choose Public School?” here. Back to School Prayer God, as we send our... Read more
If you are a Christian parent who wants to bring joy to your family’s faith and model the abundant life, I think one book series is a must-read: The Chronicles of Narnia. There is so much richness and imagination that will help your family talk about and grow in faith. (This may contain some affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using these links. For more information,... Read more
30 years ago, Parent’s Day was signed into law as a day to celebrate and appreciate the role of parents in children’s lives. Moms have a day in May and dads in June, but parents are recognized together on the fourth Sunday in July. With Parent’s Day 2024 quickly approaching, here are 5 Bible verses to encourage you on your Christian parenting journey. Christian Parents, God Strengthens You Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for... Read more
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