As a Godly Leader, you know how important your role as a mom and dad is in your kids’ lives! As a Godly Leader, you also know how important it is for your kids to be in God’s Word on a regular (as close to daily as they can) basis. The church, Christian school, and youth group are all there to help and support you. But, Godly parent, it is YOUR responsibility to disciple your kids and raise them in a God-fearing, Bible-believing manner. Here are five ways you can ensure your kids read the Bible. These are essential to your role as a Godly leader in your family.
- Read the Bible yourself daily and make sure your kids catch you doing so.
Let’s start with the obvious. I have three kids and two grandkids. My 1 and 2-year-old grandkids are watching their parents’ every move they make and every word they say. Have you ever heard a little kid swear? Where did they get that from? I’ll give you one guess. Godly parent, read the Bible every day and do it at times when your kids can catch you. When they come down for school, on vacation, or on a Saturday. Psalm 119:105 tells us, Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. It is essential that you show your kids that the Bible is the guide and light in your life as well.
- Talk about what you are learning and what your kids are learning as you read the Bible.
When my kids were growing up, we did everything we could to make dinner a family time. We had three kids that played sports through college, so having dinner together was a tough chore at times. We’d have dinner as early as 4pm or as late as 9pm some days, depending on that day’s sports schedules. We felt it was essential for us to connect as a family every day. We’d ask about their “number one” of the day – the most important thing that had happened to them that day. We’d talk about what we learned in our Bible reading that morning. We also made sure we had a “family fun” and devotional time every Sunday night as well. Growing up, and still to this day, we do life together. Deuteronomy 6:6-8 tells us we are to, Commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.
- Make church a huge value where the Bible stories come to life.
Do you know that the average Christ-follower attends church less than two times per month in 2022? Why? Well, other commitments have taken the place of gathering together. Weekend sports tournaments, lake houses, chores, and sleeping in are just some of the reasons that Christ-followers miss church more than ever. When we as parents miss, most often our kids do as well. Guess what our kids are not missing? Sports practices, band rehearsals, and club meetings. Our kids notice what’s really important to us and where church fits. Church is not my idea. It’s not Rolling Hills Community Church’s idea. It’s God’s idea and God’s plan. It’s where God’s Word is taught and explained and where we are inspired to grow. Hebrews 10:25 strongly asserts we are to not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.
- Pay your kids to read the Bible.
Well, if you made it this far in the blog, you probably weren’t expecting this. I first heard of this concept from Patrick Morley from Man in the Mirror men’s ministry. I wrestled with it and came to the conclusion that I like it. We reward our kids for the practice and development of what we deem to be the most important practices in their lives – report cards, scoring a goal, reading books in the summer, and chores. Why not do that for reading the Bible? We paid our kids a certain amount for each day they read – if they read five times a week and if they read 51 weeks a year. Do I think they did it every single day they checked the box? Probably not. Do I think they wanted to do it every day they read? Definitely not. Now, as young adults, do they love God’s Word and have a passion to grow as Godly Leaders, and do I think that love was formed in part from a consistent intake of God’s Word in their lives? I most definitely do! Hebrews 4:12 says, For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. God’s Word doesn’t do those things if we’re not in it and our kids aren’t in it.
- Show your kids how your decisions are made through the lens of God’s Word.
So, what? My preaching professor in seminary would say these are the two most important words for you to consider in any sermon. So, what? I would say these are the two most important words when it comes to being a Godly Leader in your home. It is essential that you show your kids the “so, what?” of God’s Word. Teach them that the reason you tithe is because of the instruction of God’s Word. Instruct them why it is so important to live a life of truth and integrity – because of the truth of the Bible. Walk with them as you take a new job or make a big decision and let them see how God’s Word is influencing your decision-making process. James 1:22 honestly tells us, Don’t just listen to God’s Word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
We could talk a lot more on this topic, but we’ll leave it there for now. What are your thoughts or questions? Leave them in the comments. If you found this blog helpful or thought-provoking, please subscribe below, share it on social media, or tell a few friends about it!
Love being on this Essential Godly Leadership journey with you!