Raising Kids to Discover God’s Wisdom
Bible Verse
3 When Josiah was only 16 years old he began worshiping God, just as his ancestor David had done. Then, 4 years later, he decided to destroy the local shrines in Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the sacred poles for worshiping the goddess Asherah and the idols of foreign gods. 2 Chronicles 34:3
Don’t you love watching your child and being proud of their actions and words? But what about when you look over and see “an area of growth” that might be needed? Then, the possibly overwhelming thought hits you: “God put me in their lives to help grow them into the people he created them to be.”
At those times, I become aware of all the areas in my life where I need to grow. The comforting news of the gospel is that God is also working in my life! I don’t need to have all the answers. I can show my child all the things God uses in my life to give me wisdom.
Check out some ways you can help your child discover some biblical wisdom from God:
Read the Bible and pray. Show your kids that you read the Bible and pray to gain wisdom. Talk about what God has been teaching you around the dinner table. Read together so they can hear God’s Word. Pray together so they can listen to how you talk to God.
Read biographies together. God knows that sometimes wisdom is better caught than taught. With examples in Scripture, church history, and a community of believers around us, God shows us how he has called us to live.
- Do deep dives in Scripture and read the stories of Joseph, Esther, and David.
- Together, read historical and modern stories of faith, such as those of Harriet Tubman, Corrie Ten Boom, or Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- Invite some church mentors to your home for a meal. Ask them to share stories with your children of what God has taught them through their lives.
Use these moments as opportunities to grow together with your kids. Talk about how you all might apply what you learn to your life.
Give age-appropriate opportunities. Sometimes, we learn best by trying something out in a safe place where we can make mistakes. Give your kid opportunities to pray before a meal, pick out a Bible story after dinner, or read the family devotions. It might seem like a losing battle some nights as everyone is rambunctious and not paying attention (and that is entirely normal), but continue to show them that faith is not just something for when they are bigger but something they can experience as kids as well.
Praise God that he does not leave us to ourselves to raise our kids. He gives the Holy Spirit to speak directly to our hearts and encourage us through the community in our lives. God provided Josiah with the people he needed, and God continues to give what you need as you raise your kids to know and love him.
Want to do a deep dive? Check out Family Fire's article Five Questions to Ask When Reading the Bible.
Philip Vander Windt
Philip VanderWindt is the pastor at Champlain Valley Christian Reformed Church. In his free time he enjoys building “tall-tall towers” with his kids, analyzing worldviews of films and music with his wife, photographing the beauty of God’s creation, dabbling in leathercraft and woodwork, and writing.
