Raising Kingdom-Minded Kids: Practical Tips for Parents
Bible Verse
10 Respect and obey the Lord! This is the beginning of wisdom. To have understanding, you must know the Holy God. Proverbs 9:10
As we guide our children in their faith journey, living with a kingdom mindset is one of the most beautiful lessons we can impart. Sometimes, we might feel that being a good Christian parent means ensuring our kids declare their faith and be good church community members. Is that what it means to be a godly family? What’s our starting place for wise living?
Maybe our role is more about recognizing God's sovereignty over all things. When we pray, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done," we're not just uttering words; we're expressing a deep desire to see God's reign established on earth. Let’s teach our children to submit to his leadership humbly. How do we practically instill this mindset in our children? Here are a few suggestions:
Model kingdom living: Children learn best by example. Let them see you prioritizing God's kingdom in your daily life through prayer, worship, and service to others.
Teach humility and reverence: Help your children understand the awe-inspiring nature of God's kingship. Share stories to illustrate his power and goodness.
Read Scripture together: Discuss what it means to seek God's kingdom first (Matthew 6:33) in everyday decisions and actions. Talk about what it means to “fear God.”
Serve together: Engage in acts of kindness and service as a family. Whether volunteering at a local shelter or helping a neighbor in need, show your children how to embody God's love in tangible ways.
Encourage prayer and reflection: Foster a habit of prayer and reflection in your children's lives. Encourage them to talk to God about their hopes, fears, and dreams, knowing he listens and cares deeply for them.
Cultivate a global perspective: Remind your children that they are citizens of heaven before they belong to any earthly nation. Help them understand the importance of loving and praying for people from all walks of life, regardless of nationality or background.
I read a quote in a book that transformed my thinking about parenting my children. “Missional families are made up of people who seek to be salt, light, and leaven in their communities, and missional parents seek to bring salt, light, and leaven into the ways in which they nurture their children to be worthy citizens of God’s kingdom” (Trevecca Okholm, Kingdom Family). My desire for my children is to train them to be citizens of God’s kingdom and members of his ongoing story of faith and redemption. By intentionally nurturing a kingdom mindset in our children, we empower them to make a difference in the world and raise them to be a generation that boldly seeks God's kingdom and righteousness in all they do.
Want to do a deep dive? Check out Family Fire's article A Christian Parent's Response to Authority.
Tanya Yuen
Tanya Yuen is a pastor who serves in the denominational office of the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec with the privilege of supporting pastors in children and family ministry. She also gets to spend time in Muskoka at Camp Kwasind in the summer, sharing about Jesus with kids. She is mom to 3 girls and together with her husband, Alfred. They spend as much time as possible hiking the trails around the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario.
