Seeing What God Sees in Your Kids

August 2, 2025

Have your kids ever surprised you? Maybe it was their quick wit that gave you a chuckle. Or perhaps it was the time they raced to the jungle gym and climbed a little too high for your comfort before they jumped off and stuck their landing. As our children grow and develop, we often size them up to gauge their physical, mental, and emotional abilities. But how often do we ask God to guide our assessments? And how often do we factor in the workings of the Holy Spirit into our calculations?

Today’s Bible reading is a wonderful reminder of what children can accomplish when they walk in faith with our Almighty Father. We do not want to overlook or disregard a child in the way David’s dad, Jesse, did. We must ask for God’s guidance and for him to help us see the hearts of our children. In 1 Samuel 16:7, God says, “People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts.” 

How can you see what God sees in your child? Here are some practical tips:

Reflect: God is a God of preparation. Matthew 25:23 tells us that if we are faithful over a few, God will make us rulers over many. In our Bible passage, God helped David protect the sheep from the bear and the lion. So, when it was time to face Goliath, David was well-prepared to trust God, both in his physical and spiritual abilities. David was confident in God and himself. 

Encourage: Encourage your kids to stay true to themselves and not conform to the world's ways. King Saul and the soldiers thought David needed heavy armor and weapons to become a victor. However, David stuck to what he thought would work best: a slingshot and five smooth stones. Celebrate your child’s uniqueness and encourage them to be who God has created them to be. 

Train: David was a worshipper, which no doubt fueled his faith in God. Teach your children to be like David and strengthen themselves in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6). Help them to memorize and meditate on scriptures that remind them of who they are in Christ Jesus. 

• They are God’s masterpieces (Ephesians 2:10). 
• They are wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). 
• God has good plans in store for them (Jeremiah 29:11). 
• Greater is he that is in them than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). 
• God is with them wherever they go (Joshua 1:9.)

Advocate: Sometimes, people tell your child what they can and cannot do. David did not allow others’ doubts to limit him. He spoke up and told them what he could do and what God could do through him. As parents, we want to advocate for our kids, but we should also teach them and give them the tools to advocate for themselves.

If we stay in step with the Holy Spirit and study our kids carefully, we can help them increase their Godfidence (confidence in God) and be all that God created them to be.

Want to do a deep dive? Check out Family Fire's article Cultivating an Adventurous Faith.