Teaching kids

Shared in mom's group.....

I felt urged to initiate a discussion here on how are we setting priority for our kids after listening to an inspiring speech.

Incident 1:
I once had a Sunday school parent tell me that her kid who is studying around 8th std has not come to church since she has exams on the next day?

Incident 2:
When I try to tell senior kids during Sunday class to allocate few minutes for personal prayer and Bible reading in the night or any time during the day, kids say no time! Lot of homework! Have other work! Etc etc.

Incident 3:
When I have talked to kids about importance of family prayer, I have had most of them saying that there is no family prayer in their houses or no family time together!

Incident 4:
When I have talked to senior kids about misuse of internet and stuff, I have had them say that they have their own mobile phones!

Incident 4:
When I was talking to senior kids about staying away from idols in their life, kids shared that they are not able to come out from usage of listening to pop or peppy songs, Instagram, rock music etc.etc.

I honestly agree that as a mother, I am and will be facing challenges in all the above areas and praying for God's guidance. But can we have an open discussion, heart to heart pouring our ideas so that we bring up kids who really rock for Christ ! This discussion is to only edify and equip us as parents to do the first and foremost ministry of raising up a holy generation!

1. How as parents can we set an example, show them practically, emphasize to our kids that serving Jesus is the first and foremost priority in their life come what may~

2. How as parents can we make them pray daily from young age ?

3. How as parents can we make them read bible daily from young age?

4. How as parents are we ensuring or allocating time for family prayer?

5. How as parents are we  spending family time to narrate stories/teach values/listen to kids? Are there any other idols which is stealing our time from spending time with family ? Facebook, Serials, WhatsApp, Instagram, calls etc.

6. How as parents can we have our kids stay away from evil addictions ? Of course consistent prayer for our Kids. But any practical rules to follow?

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Nice n serious thought Joyce... Almost every point u have listed has the same answer... Kids emulate us...so as parents we must be doing it first.
They should see us praying, reading word, applying word, giving importance to church n fellowship, giving generously, etc etc

No other way than meeting our God in throne room as Beu always exhort

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Sharing what I follow:
1.As spoon as my son wakes up, he has to brush, pray and then only I will give him glass of milk.. Mostly he will demand as soon as he wakes up, but it's a rule..
👆seeing my son pray, now 2.8yr Priscilla is kneeling and reciting along with him..
2.Some days ,the moment he wakes up, he switches on TV or demands mobile, I insist to pray and then watch..

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I will try to share what I am following, others please share as well.

1. Often iterate and reiterate on every occasion to my kids that God is the foremost priority come what may. Often narrate stories of how God carried me through the toughest times bcoz I put him first in my life. Prayer, reading bible, memorizing verses, respecting elders, not wasting food or money (difficult struggling area), being kind, etc. Living by God's principles is first and then comes studies/exams/games/toys etc. I have failed many a times as well but keep trying consciously.

2. Consciously taken effort for my elder kid 8 yrs now from small to do small prayers often

1. When he starts to  school
2. Before he starts his homework
3.before he starts playing keyboard
4. During night family prayer
5. When someone is sick in our family/prayer requests
6. When he hears an ambulance sound
7. Sometimes when I have pressure in work/ office needs etc.
8. When he wants a new toy/gift. Also he thanks when he gets a new one. Instantaneous short prayers on the spot.

So he immediately volunteers to pray quickly even if we forget in troubled times. You can try and see.

3. I had a thought that its very tough to make kids to read bible until I saw God do a miracle. He listens to our prayers.

A month before our hard disk with kids collections broke, so Chad's time boxed screen time was not possible. He had lot of free time and started reading Children's bible stories on his own. He had so much time that he read many times and found it interesting. Praise God. Now he started reading NKJV version every day one chapter from new testament on his own.

I thanked God for breaking the hard disk.

Usually he reads verses daily stuck on door before going to school. As Beu used to say, if you read a verse 100 times then it automatically gets stored in their memory. Psalms 139 after reading for 1 month, he started reciting easily. You can give a try.

4. I keep alarm to remind for family prayer. Otherwise I will keep on doing household work. For non working mommies, during kids holidays you can keep alarm at 10:30 am to spend time with kids, short prayers, make them read bible and memorize verses.

5&6: my hubby takes conscious effort to play with kids and talk to Chad daily during bed time about what happened in
school, his friends etc. while I am winding up the kitchen.

Strict no mobile to kids. If we watch anything, it is as a family together either me or my hubby will control the mobile/ laptop.

Watching TV/WhatsApp/Facebook  is not a problem as long as it is not stealing the time with our kids. If kids/hubby are around us, then spending time with them is priority. I sure have failed in many areas, but always keep trying consciously with His guidance.

6. To stay away from evil addictions, make your kids memorize verses more and more as the verse says: "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you"