How Do We Disciple Our Children at All Stages of Life?
Gina Moore
As a mother of adult children, I want to keep a focus on the FUTURE. That future is anchored in the Word of God. Biblical discipline steers the process. To disciple my children, I need to be grounded in God’s Word. It is the best handbook for the task of motherhood. But its real treasure is what it tells us about our Lord and Savior. I need God’s Word written on my heart. I’m preparing for a future of a growing family through marriages and grandchildren. Motherhood focuses on the long-term objective; which is mature, Godly sons and daughters who will bring glory to God. My actions as a mother speak volumes about my priorities, who I look to and who I put my faith in. Is my life showing my obedience to God’s word in ALL things? How am I navigating the trials of life? I want my life to always point to Jesus!
I speak God’s Word to my children. The goal is to have their hearts saturated and directed by the plain teaching of the Word of God. The culture of this world is going to pull at them and test them. They need to have the experience that the Word of God is satisfying. It can fill them, and be a balm for every wound. It ANCHORS them to better things than this world can offer. When they’re going through trials, I speak to them about Jesus as their ONLY HOPE in the trials and storms of this world. As moms, we want to protect our kids from the hard things, from failing. And I’ve done my share of rescues over the years; not wanting my kids to fail. But trials point us to our weakness. In that weakness, I want my children to settle on the only HOPE we have in a very hard world and our only HOPE is in Jesus.
John 16:33 says “I have told you these things so that in me you may have PEACE. In this world, you have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”. And in Christ’s victory, we find our victory in overcoming the trials of the world. He gives us a hope and a FUTURE!
I love keeping a prayer journal. I wish I’d started when my kids were young. It’s tangible evidence, a history, of what God is doing in my family; how he answers prayer and how He’s made His grace and faithfulness known in the struggles. I have journals saved up and I often look through them at what God has done in my family. It’s my family’s history. Just recently I read through some prayers that I had prayed for my oldest son. I prayed for him for 30 days. It’s all there. And one day, in the future, I hope my children will read them. And I hope they see the faithfulness and grace of God on those pages.
I write out a birthday blessing for my children every year. I write it in my prayer journal and then I take a picture of it and send it to them; praying Gods promises over them; praying His protection over them. Thanking God for them and praising Him for what He’s doing in their lives.
I continue to speak blessing over my children. When they were little, as they’d leave for school I’d say “may the Lord bless and keep you”. I still say that blessing to them often. At my youngest son’s wedding and my daughter’s wedding, I prayed a prayer of blessing over them, repeating those words as I’d done for years “may the Lord bless and keep you”. I prayed that God’s favor would be upon them and their future children; praying for the generations yet to come. Connecting them to a FUTURE with God.
I love this quote by Charles Spurgeon:
“Do not die, O ye greyheads – ye who have passed your three score years and ten — Do not pass away from this earth with all those pleasant memories of God’s loving kindness to be buried with you in your coffin. But let your children and your children’s children, know what the everlasting God did for you.”
Speak of God’s goodness and love to your children often. Once God opens your eyes to His grace in your life, you’ll see it everywhere. When we belong to God, His fingers touch every aspect of our life. When we belong to God, we can put our hope and our future in His hands.
In Jeremiah 29:11 He promises, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” We can’t give our kids that kind of promise. But what God promises, He is faithful to deliver.
Let’s talk about it….
1. How can you use God’s Word in your family on a daily basis?
2. As moms, we want to solve all the problems for our children. How can you point them to Jesus during trials?
3. Write out a prayer of blessing for your children. Praise God for all the good things He is doing in your family. Pray that the eyes of your family will be opened to see His goodness, even in the hard things.
