While it may be challenging at first, putting God first in your child’s life will ultimately set them on a path of righteousness. As parents, the task itself may seem daunting, but through small actions taken over time, there are a number of ways to help lead your child in the right direction. From reading Bible verses to sharing Christian art, here’s how you can do so as a parent.
Make Family Prayer a Priority
One of the biggest ways in putting God first for your child is by making family prayer a habit. There are a number of ways you can do this. Before bedtime, pray alongside your child so they understand the importance of feeling blessed for a successful day and grateful for another upcoming sunrise. Prayer upon waking up is another important method. Offering your day to God at the top of the morning ensures a day full of virtue and good deeds abound.
It doesn’t stop with the morning and nighttime, either. Another way to make family prayer a priority is by saying Grace before a meal. This ensures your child is grateful for the meal at hand and for those who have prepared the meal at the dinner table. And though it may be challenging, saying Grace in a restaurant pays tribute to the people who worked hard to wash your utensils and dining area, on top of those who work to serve you.
Instill Good Values
Putting God first not only includes prayer. As your child grows and experiences life through their lens, they will be thrust into situations that challenge their morals, beliefs, and values — whether it’s at home, at school, or at camp.
Whatever the situation may be, you can prepare them for such by instilling good values in them. One of the most important values you can teach your children about is forgiveness. Whether it’s a child who may have said something hurtful or another who may not have wanted to play with your child at recess, instead of your child harboring aggression toward that person, teaching them about forgiveness — which can be done through the Bible — will ensure a positive outcome for all involved.
In fact, Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Another good value to instill is sympathy for others. Teaching your child sympathy increases their cognitive awareness to recognize when another is distressed and could use a helping hand. The development of sympathy, in turn, will motivate your child to share with others, alongside offering an emotional support system to those in need.
Psalms 30:2 says “Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me;” while Psalms 147:3 says “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Encourage Volunteerism
The act of volunteering is a great way for putting God first in your child’s life. On top of experiencing sympathy firsthand, partaking in acts of charity has proven benefits for your child — including increased self-confidence, motivation, and compassion. On top of this, charity is highly valued and encouraged throughout the Bible.
Luke 6:38 says “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Volunteering and offering assistance to others is one of the most important Godly traits a child can partake in. From setting up lemonade stands to donating at local shelters and food drives, every difference counts — and it all starts by putting God first in your child’s life.