Before the Catholic school year starts, your child may have questions about the upcoming year. Taking the time to calm their nerves by answering questions and teaching them about God can help them better understand. Here’s how you can instill love and respect for God in your child ahead of the school year.
Incorporate the Bible into Your Child’s Life
When it comes to instilling a love and respect for God in your child, one of the most important things you can do as a parent is incorporate the Bible into their lives at an early age.
You can accomplish this through several means, including setting a prayer schedule for them. Having your child say their prayers upon waking up will teach them gratitude for having another day of life. Incorporating a prayer session surrounding dinner will further that gratitude by expressing appreciation for the food they have on their plate. And lastly, incorporating a prayer session before bedtime rounds it out with discipline.
Through their prayer schedule, your child will develop a love and respect for God — on top of a flourishing relationship with Him.
Talk to Your Child About God
Growing up — especially at a young age — your child may have questions (and may even be confused) about their faith. You can educate, while also instilling a love and respect for God, in them by simply talking to them.
Use these precious moments as a parent to hear your child out. Offer them a safe, open space to ask questions and air any grievances they may have. Remember that these moments are fleeting, so take full advantage of them!
On the other hand, you can also use this time to educate your child on the triumphs of God and how they can relate to everyday life. Many verses in the Bible deal with good versus evil, so utilize these! For example, 1 John 4:4 says, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
Virtuous Deeds Instill a Love and Respect for God
Children learn by example. Parents lead by example. Another way to instill a love and respect for God in your children is to practice virtuous deeds — Godly acts in and of themselves — which can be accomplished in a number of ways.
Much like you say Grace before dinner, being grateful for meals doesn’t stop there. There are plenty of food banks out there that provide meals to the homeless and underprivileged. Consider donating non-perishable food items, like canned meats, dried fruits and vegetables, grains, and more. Doing so will ensure that one less person goes hungry.
You can also donate clothes and other items to local homeless shelters. Why hold on to clothes that you no longer use or need, when you can put it on the back of someone who can truly use it?
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9-6:8.