Why is it so hard to set aside time to spiritually invest in our kids?! Maybe because it’s the most important thing, so I should just expect difficulty or warfare around it.
Why does every quiet time with the Lord seem to get interrupted by a family member? Maybe because it’s very important to God, so it’s very important to Satan to try and throw it off. Maybe because God is calling me to obey what He is teaching me in quiet time and allow interruptions to contribute to my progressive sanctification.
Why is it important to stand firm, continue seeking the Lord, and do the hard work of discipleship? Because it is the most important priority in life: living for what will outlast it!
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
So, what do we do if we know it is important to disciple our children? Maybe it starts with taking an evaluation of where we are and giving thought to our ways.
The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. (Proverbs 14:8, NIV)
What has worked in your family? How have you intentionally cultivated soil to plant seeds of faith in your household? Is it the same or different from what your family modeled for you growing up?
I love considering questions like these because my ultimate desire is for our whole family to be in Heaven together for eternity, along with as many other people as possible, amen! It’s good to take this honest evaluation: Does my investment of time match my desired outcome? It’s not a guarantee that our children will choose to follow Jesus just because we invest spiritually in our kids. However, we still want to worship the Lord through obedience (see Psalm 34:11, AMP) and disciple our children to the best of our ability.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Be encouraged, this work is not in vain!
If you want to have your own practical chat for intentional living, I encourage you to bring these questions up with your spouse or your friend and discern where the Lord is leading you.
If you need an idea to get started, here’s our most recent idea: Whenever God prompts me with a verse during my own quiet time that I think may benefit our daughters, I write it on a notecard, along with a couple of questions for application. Then, when we gather together for breakfast, one daughter gets to read the notecard. We all take turns answering, and someone gets to keep the notecard at the end. My next step is to paper hole punch the notecard and put it on a circular ring, so that we can collect all the notecards as a flip-through, personalized devotion. What about you? What is working for you right now? What do you hope to try next? I believe it’s all a worthwhile investment.
I’m praying for you as you consider ways God is inviting you to intentionally invest in the spiritual lives of your family.
Love always,
Laura
About The Savvy Sauce
Practical chats for intentional living
A faith-based podcast and resources to help you grow closer to Jesus and others. Expect encouragement, surprises, and hope here. Each episode offers lively interviews with fascinating guests such as therapists, authors, non-profit founders, and business leaders.
They share their best practices and savvy tips we can replicate to make our daily life and relationships more enjoyable!
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