How Can We Prepare Our Kids to Make Good Choices?

May 24, 2025

Last Christmas, my seven-year-old received a book from his grandparents. I hadn’t heard that title before, but I assumed it was okay because it seemed geared to his age level. My son loved it. He read it twice. The second time through, he wanted to read me a funny part. He read me three pages; I counted over a dozen swear words.

This week’s devotional features a story about what happened, as told from a child’s perspective, because we know our children face dozens of moments like that. And while I wish my son had put the book down when he encountered that language, it didn’t happen. How can we prepare our children to live out their Christianity, even when we are not around?

1. Talk about what living purely looks like. Have this conversation before your children encounter content or language that is not appropriate so that they already know what to do. You can use Philippians 4:8, Matthew 15:18, and Proverbs 4:20-27 to guide the conversation. But don’t just tell them what to do. Ask them for their ideas. Ask them if they’ve already had this problem. If they have, don’t condemn them; talk about what to do moving forward. Remember that 1 Timothy 4:12 encourages them to be leaders and discuss what that means.

2. Set a good example. Living a Christian life 24/7 doesn’t just apply to our children. We should also strive to consume media that is “true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper” (Philippians 4:8) because what we see influences how we act and who we are (Proverbs 4:23, Mark 7:20-23). Also, as parents, we know that our children learn what words and actions are acceptable from watching and listening to us.

3. Teach them to read the Bible for themselves and talk about what they are reading. 2 Timothy 3:15 says: “Since childhood, you have known the Holy Scriptures that are able to make you wise enough to have faith in Christ Jesus and be saved,” and Psalm 71:17 says: “Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.” Let these verses be true of your children, too. (If you need help teaching your children to read the Bible, check out this post.)

4. Finally, be involved. Know what your children are looking at. Let them talk your ears off about what they are interested in, and check it out yourself. If you are uncomfortable with them continuing, see if you can find something similar to replace it.

This week’s verse is 1 Timothy 4:12, where Paul tells Timothy to be an example for others with his words and actions. When we, as parents, set the groundwork for Biblical knowledge and spiritual growth for our children, we help them become people who will make good decisions, even if no one is watching. So talk to your children about their favorite games and stories this week, and see where it takes you.

Want to do a deep dive? Check out Family Fire's article Balancing Technology Use.