9 Guidance Tips on How to Raise a Child of God.

As a mother, you have been blessed with one of life’s greatest gifts. But as a follower of Christ, this gift takes on a whole new meaning. It’s not just a child; it’s a soul entrusted to you by God. In this parenting journey, I want to share some insights that might help you navigate the unique responsibility of raising a child in the light of the Christian faith. 

1. First and foremost, remember that this child is a divine gift from God to you.

It is human nature to believe that man and woman came together and formed a baby from intercourse, and that is true in a way. However, as believers, we must remember that this process is not just a biological event but a divine miracle. Only God can create life. He is the creator, and we are the people who are used in the process to form the baby. He formed the baby that was conceived in the beginning. Because He was the one that created this natural process through His children on earth, then we must remember that He is ultimately the Father to your child first before you were aware of becoming parents. He will reveal Himself to His child whether you choose to introduce them to Him or not. He will make Himself known and be the parent your/ “His” child would ever need.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full and well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. “

Psalms 139:13-15

2. Raise His child in His image.

From the beginning, God has clarified that we are created in His image. This profound truth should guide your parenting journey. It’s not enough to raise your child to be like Him; you must also speak this truth over their life. Children learn early on who they are and what they can do. It is crucial to talk about life with your child and their identity. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of declaring one’s identity. Read Ephesians for guidance. Tell your children, “You are strong because God is strong and he created you,” or “You are patient and kind because your Heavenly Father is patient and kind, and you received that from Him.” Everything that is written about love in 1 Corinthians 13 is who your child is, for God is love, as it says in 1 John 4:9-12. Declare this truth in prayer over their life. Speak it every day over them and have them look at themselves in the mirror and speak that because that is a truth that when they firmly believe, it can never be stripped away from them. 

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

Proverbs 22:6

“ So God created mankind in his own image, In the image of God he created them; Male and female he created them.”

Genesis 1:27

3. God will supply every need.

Yes, some needs still need to be met to live in this world, BUT we must remember that we are all God’s children. Children that He takes care of because He loves us. As we work and hustle to pay the bills and put food on the table and a roof over our kids’ heads, we must remember who is for us. You must acknowledge that though you are working for the basic essential needs, God has already given you everything. He has not only taken care of every need of yours as an individual, for you are His child, but He has also taken care of every need for your child because that is His child first that He will always take care of.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want”

Psalms 23:1

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus”

Philippians 4:19

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Romans 8:31-32

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Matthew 6:25-26

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”

Matthew 6:31-34

4. God is for them.

“ The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

Numbers 6:24-26

5. Sin, Forgiveness, Relationships.

 When you see your baby for the first time after delivery, it is hard to look at their innocent, pure, tiny face and hands and think about sin. There is a moment of bliss and then a moment of needing to protect them from the world around them. A world full of sin. But then your baby gets bigger and bigger. By the time they are one year old, they are learning good and bad, and some may even start testing their boundaries. As parents, you don’t see their actions as sinful, but like adults walking with Christ, we encounter temptation when we overstep just a little bit of boundaries, which sometimes eventually leads to sin. As an authority figure in your home, the babies saying no at first may be cute, but if not taught correctly when the word should be used, it can cause havoc later. Sin is all around us, but as a parent, we should teach our children about sin and how it affects not only the child’s body but also their relationships with people around them that they love and, most importantly, how it affects their relationship with God. Please do not skip this parenting process because it can be taught at every age appropriately. Though it may not be the hot topic of every parent’s desire, it is necessary to explain sin and its nature and the consequences of such acts. {Depending on the subject of sin}. Where there is sin, let it be known that there, too, is forgiveness through repentance. 

As a toddler, it sounds as simple as this, 

“I understand that you wanted this and decided to break a rule to have what you wanted, but there are consequences for breaking the rule.” After the consequences, talk to them about what they did, why there is a rule against such action, and how, as Jesus forgives, you will also forgive them. Only after they understand that they need to apologize and ‘turn away from it’ will they say sorry and won’t do it again. 

(Depending on the age, speak appropriately. Remember that toddlers are humans, too, and are bound to repeat the action repeatedly until they understand completely.)

And where there is sin and forgiveness, unconditional love follows through. No matter how old your child may be, we must come to a place to talk to them after disciplining them and show unconditional love towards them.  

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 6:12-15

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3:13

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 

            1 John 1:9

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

James 5:16

For my parents to the new toddler stage!

Then peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times? Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. 

Matthew 18:21-22

6. Rightful discipline.

Discipline is “training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.” 

Discipline is short for disciple. A disciple is a student, follower, or child being taught by a teacher—you! I will not tell you how to discipline your child but advise that the discipline is consistent when necessary and matches the act that has brought you to discipline them.

“Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.”

Deuteronomy 8:5

“Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die. Punish them with the rod and save them from death.”

Proverbs 23:13-14

7. Identify their gifts, talents, and purpose (Manifest it).

Raising your child in a world of chaos and drastic changes unfamiliar to you can be difficult. You question numerous life moments based on what people are doing or have done, and some uncomfortable and unbearable moments sparked fear and awareness in you and how you will handle particular situations with your child. Still, it would be best to remind yourself that you cannot raise your children in fear. Raising them based on your life experiences and fear (and I am also including things that you maybe did not accomplish) can only hinder your child by letting them create a limited mind frame. A mind frame that is too cautious; your child limits their faith in God and never takes risks to learn for themselves. 

            Question: How can your child grow into their rightful identity and walk in their purpose if they are fearful and doubt everything?

You must remind yourself that your fears and doubts should be cast onto the Lord and not your children, who will now be in distress because of the bondage chains you placed on them, stripping away basically their lives. Now, there are things that you should be mindful of if it protects the child from any real danger, but you must remind yourself that your children are created with a purpose that needs to be fulfilled, and as a parent, you need to be able to help build your children in that. 

Even as they get older and they are so confident in Christ in the direction that they want to go, if it does not line up with “YOUR STANDARDS,” then you need to re-evaluate your thinking and remind yourself that the Holy Spirit is not only yours but your children’s teacher who is sculpting them and guiding them to become who they are meant to be. You cannot say no to the direction they are heading towards in serving Christ because of your fears. Still, as a parent, you must remind yourself  that they need encouragement in their direction because they are accountable for their choices and obedience to Christ. Please, do not be the stumbling block to their decisions. Instead, help your children and cheer them on in their race. 

This all starts early on in their lives. You must separate yourself to some extent, observe who God created them to become, and trust in Him for the good works He has done and is still transforming you and them. 

8. Pray, Fast, and Pray Again.

I cannot exaggerate this enough. I know there are times when you feel like there is never a moment of ‘you’ time to have with God, but it is crucial to make this time no matter what. Just do it if you must include your children in bible reading, worship, prayer, and sermons. With great intentions, you receive self-care and take care of your relationship with your Heavenly Father, your strength. In this, your children are witnessing you as a child of God, needing your moment with him. 

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us- whatever we ask- we know that we have what we asked of him.”

1 John 5:14-15

“Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Matthew 19:14

“All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace. In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you… No weapon forged against you will prevail.”

Isaiah 54:13-17

9. Be an example.

The best way to teach your children is by being an example for them to follow. Just as the disciples followed Jesus and were sculpted to become changed into the new identity that He was transforming them into in their journey, is the same way your child will follow you and be sculpted just like you. When you exemplify a life like Christ, your children will only know that way of true life from everyday witnessing and grow in the ways you have shown them through your everyday character and delivery.* Please note that preaching at your kids through negative emotions has been shown to have more of a rejection and pessimistic outlook on the Gospel. Remember, Jesus walked with composure with his disciples. The disciples walked with Him and still fell short many times, just as you and your children have. Show grace. “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23.

 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 

Ephesians 5:1