Teaching the Beatitudes: Nurturing Righteousness
Bible Verse
God blesses those people who want to obey him more than to eat or drink. They will be given what they want! Matthew 5:6
Matthew 5:6 encourages us to have an insatiable appetite for what is right and to put God at the forefront of our lives. Today, many people choose to “get ahead” rather than be righteous (doing what is right). Parents are pivotal in nurturing their children's understanding of obedience to God, rooted in the wisdom of his Word. Fundamental principles encourage children to prioritize righteousness and obedience to God. Parents must model righteous behavior, foster open and honest discussions, promote social responsibility, and cultivate a strong spiritual connection through family prayer. Through these efforts, parents empower their children to make choices aligned with their faith, emphasizing the significance of obedience and righteousness as guiding principles.
With this week's family devotions, talk about obedience and reflect together on the challenging problems God is asking you to face. Here are a few suggestions to help your child on their journey towards righteousness:
Engage in open conversations. Encourage your child to ask questions about right and wrong. Discuss real-life scenarios and ethical dilemmas to promote critical thinking. Many of these discussions will happen in the moment and when you don’t expect them, so create a safe and open space for moral discussions. Show your child again and again that you are willing to talk.
Share personal experiences. Share your own experiences of making tough choices. Explain the values that guided your decisions. Your personal story can help your child understand that everyone faces moral dilemmas.
Model righteous behavior. Demonstrate acts of kindness, justice, and compassion in your daily life. Engage your child in charitable activities or community service projects. Teach them the importance of making a positive difference in the world. In 2 Timothy 1:5, the apostle Paul points to the generations of faithfulness that Timothy experienced, “I also remember the genuine faith of your mother Eunice. Your grandmother Lois had the same sort of faith, and I am sure you have it as well.” Timothy would not have been the man of God that he was without the example he had seen in his grandmother and his mother.
Pray and be grateful. Pray together as a family, deepening your spiritual connection. Express gratitude to God for the blessings in your lives. Create a family prayer journal for each family member to write down thoughts, prayers, and expressions of thanks. Encourage your child to take ownership of their part in the journal, making it a personal and meaningful tradition that reinforces their connection to faith and righteousness.
Parents are crucial in helping their children develop a deep hunger for obedience to God. The book of Matthew ends with a command from Jesus to his apostles. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus tells them, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.” God commands us to make disciples of all nations, and we need to do this in our homes as well, teaching our children to be righteous and obedient.
Want to do a deep dive? Check out Family Fire's article What's a Parent To Do? How to Get Kids to Obey.
Carleá Jean
Carleá Jean is all about sharing cool stories that make learning about the Bible fun. When she's not spinning tales, you'll find her outdoors with her dog, Xena, enjoying some quality time under the sun.
