10 Parenting Tips on Building Faith


Every parent hopes their kids will turn out right. They pray that when their children leave the nest, they will be ready to face the world. And they hope that their kids will be equipped to stand strong in life's battles. Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts to successful parenting . . . no secret formulas to raising kids of strength and character. However, there are steps that can be taken to prepare our children for the challenges ahead.

While the process of faith may be miraculous, it is not entirely mysterious. Jesus explained it in His parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-23). Teaching received without understanding kills the yield. Faith with shallow roots withers and dies. Distractions, worries and desires for other things choke the Word. But one who hears the Word and understands it bears fruit.

 
How can we help build faith that will bear fruit? As *Dr.Tim Kimmel states “A child will not accept a life plan to which his parents only give mental assent. If a child is going to accept your faith as his own, he must see it lived out. Alive and breathing and functioning. In YOU!”

Don’t under estimate your child’s ability to grasp the concept of faith. Now's the time for you to invest in your child coming to faith. And the best place for that to happen is right in your home. No matter how wonderful your church may be, the most successful teachings on faith happens at home. That doesn't have to scare you, even if you're a first-generation Christian. The benefits of following Jesus begin in this life. Since you want the best for your child, you want him or her to start receiving those benefits as soon as possible. Children face more challenges today then ever, and at a younger age; introducing them to Christ now, while they're young, is the most important gift you can give them.

One of our core scriptures at Working Class Parenting is Proverbs 22:6, Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. It is important for children to understand that God cares about them too. The aging apostle John said this about his spiritual children: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth" (3 John 4).

We will later discuss "Seven common faith worries parents face", but for now, here are some simple steps for creating an atmosphere of Faith in your home.

1.      Faith is not inherited it’s developed
2.      Teach your children to be responsible
3.      Try to make faith personal for your children
4.      Stress the love of others
5.      Cultivate practical and active Faith
6.      Encourage kids when they do good
7.      Be consistent in discipline
8.      Practice forgiveness as parents
9.      Instill spiritual interest
10.  With multiple children resist favoritism

*Dr. Tim Kimmel is one of America's top advocates speaking for the family today. He is the President and CEO of Family Matters®, whose goal is to equip families for every age and stage of life.

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