How to Encourage Your Child to Put God First
Published:
November 8, 2019
Contributor:
Jeannette Tuionetoa
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Do you put God first in all you do? Don’t answer, just think. Whenever I pray that the Lord help me put Him first, I know I need it to the core of my being. When I think about putting Him first, my mind floods with areas where I fall short. Can you imagine how our kids might feel in their minds when they fall short? Parents can teach and encourage their children to put God first in all things.
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We love God, right? So — we put Him first, right? We all know the truth — that we don’t put God first in many areas in our life. For me, I fall so short that if I were to list the ways I chose to NOT put Him first it would fill up a page – I am sure of it.
This modern world makes it harder and harder to put Him first. We have immediate gratification at our fingertips with movies depicting the happiness we wish we had or the food that gives us temporary joy. So many things take our attention, “need” our attention… yet, when will we ever figure out that putting Him first should be our knee jerk reaction?
Putting Him first means putting Him above your life, above your husband, above your friends, career and “gasp”, yes even your children. The scriptures below will help you put a banner over your home. Make them a banner — for as long as it takes.
Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
If we believe the Bible to be true, then we should know that there are direct correlations between what we choose to do and what God says to do. He says in the above scriptures that if we seek Him, He will give us what we need and He will guide us in the way we should go. He proves it to us time and again, albeit looks different to each of us, yet He is faithful in it all.
For instance, Proverbs 3:9-10 says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” This means if we honor Him by giving, He is faithful to provide for us. He says it, proves, yet many still find it hard to follow and believe. This is not a promise to provide material wealth, rather to provide for us according to our needs.
My husband and I were reading Romans 3 just this morning and got a huge reminder about God’s character. Romans 3:3-4 says, “some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true.”
How worthy is He for us to put Him first, knowing that even when we fail and falter He is still faithful and true? How does that look when we are trying to teach and encourage our kids to put Him first?
Here a few ways to encourage your kids in putting the Creator above all other things:
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- Creating faith routines and habits in your home and within your lifestyle will help your kids put God first.
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- Don’t forsake the regular gathering with other believers.
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- Pray routinely – before you start the homeschool day or first thing in the mornings, before going to bed and throughout the day.
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- Every day (we do this during dinner time or bible study), ask your kids what they are grateful to God for during the week or that day. Get them used to thanking Him even in the little things and reflecting on it.
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- In John 13:34, the scriptures say, “a new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you MUST love one another.” Show your kids what this means by being intentional about helping others. Volunteer for people with needs, cook meals once a month for someone, encourage them to serve and treat each other with respect.
Use these resources in your homeschool to be intentional about putting God first and helping your kids do the same:
Putting God First Lesson Plan for Kids
How to Develop New Habits and Build Character in Kids
FREE Character Curriculum for Elementary Students
How to Help Your Child Revere God’s Word (FREE Printables)
How to Help Your Child Trust God’s Protection (Even When Life is Tough)
FREE Verses About Friendship From Proverbs Copywork
How to Encourage Honesty in Your Child (Includes Free Resources)
FREE Bible Study Journal-Questions From the Gospels
FREE Bible Study Journaling Pages
Leading Little Ones to God: A Child’s Book of Bible TeachingsThe Child’s Story Bible by Vos, Catherine F.The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His NameLong Story Short: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to GodOld Story New: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to GodOur Daily Bread for Kids: 365 Meaningful Moments with God
Don’t we all want to get to that point where putting God first is just what we do? We will always be busy with stuff. Putting God first can no longer be something put off until tomorrow.
The bottom line is that putting God first is the root by which we can build our lives for Christ. Everything else, according to His Word (Matthew 22:37-40), stems from that. We can start teaching and encouraging our children to put Him first now or as time goes by, more and more worldly things will take that place.