5 Ways to Disciple Your Children (Even if you’re overwhelmed, busy, and tired)
If you're a Christian mom on social media, it may seem like all the "good" moms are homeschooling. It may seem like to have a vibrant faith life with your family, you need a shelf full of beautiful resources. It may even seem like having 45 mintues of devotional time each day is the only way to raise your children to know and love Jesus. But these impressions are false.
The truth is God has uniquely equipped you to be your child's parent - he's equipped you with his Word and with his Spirit and has promised to walk with you up every summit and down every valley of the parenting journey.
Parents are particularly called to make disciples of their children and it is possible to do this within the limitations of yoru life - whatever those are in this season! Here few ideas on how to keep the Christ front and center in the hearts and minds of your children throughout the week.
Car Rides
Your daily car rides are a perfect space for memorizing scripture together. Buy an album of Bible verses set to music and enjoy! We especially love Slugs & Bugs Sing the Bible and Dana Dirksen's Songs for Saplings! (Dana’s album pairs well with our memorization cards!)
Bedtime
Wind down at the end of the day by sitting together to pray over the concerns of the day. Adapt the Ignatian practice of Consolation & Desolation to family life by asking your children, "What made you happy today?" & "What made you sad today?" and pray through those moments.
Breakfast
If you, like me, finish your meal a solid fifteen minutes before your children, fill in that time by reading a Bible story or other devotional material while they finish eating. Talk through your day and pray for it. On days when this is too much, pop on your favorite worship playlist or a children's devotional podcast while all of you eat.
Lunch Box
If your child reads, throw a note with an encouraging verse or quotation into their lunchbox. Remind your child that they belong to the Lord and He is with them whenever they go!
Model
Kids learn what they see so show them what being a disciple of Jesus looks like with your own life in how you are intentional about time in scripture and prayer, prioritize Sunday worship, show forth the fruit of the Spirit, and apologize and ask for forgiveness when you don't. Model daily discipleship so your children can see what a healthy, mature relationship with the Lord looks.
Blessings, friends, as you begin your school year!
