Next Steps For Leading In Our Homes

Michelle Anthony, a woman with a passion for helping parents guide their kids to loving Jesus, says “It’s not about being or becoming a perfect family, it’s about being on the journey together to know and follow a perfect God.” Is it time for you to begin that journey? Is it time for you to get back to it? If you aren’t closer to Jesus now that you were a year ago, you aren’t on a journey. You are sitting still, content with the life YOU can make instead of discovering the REAL life God can make.

God’s blessings often go uncollected because we sit contentedly right where we are, never taking the next step. For parents who takes serious their role as spiritual guide for their kids, here are some suggestions for “next steps.”

·         Read Bible Stories to them and learn together. My favorite is Egermeier’s Bible Story Book. It takes you through the Bible chronologically and each story takes less than 5 minutes to read. There are 4-5 questions to ask the kids at the end so they can show that they listened well.

·         Pray with them. Let them know that you talk to God on their behalf. (i.e. “God thank you for making Johnny my son. Help me to be a good dad/mom and help him to grow up learning how to be more like you.”)

·         Say a blessing over them. (i.e. “May God’s blessing be upon you at school, helping you to make good choices and listen well)

·         Make Church attendance a priority so that they know there is a larger “family” of God followers on the journey with them

·         Be on mission together, looking for ways to serve the less fortunate

·         Say a simple prayer with them when you see or hear an ambulance. (i.e. “Jesus bring courage and healing and help to whoever is in need right now and keep all the helpers safe.”)

This isn’t new. God’s desire from ancient times was that we share our faith with our kids. Are you in? Do you have your next steps mapped out? Where is God calling you to lead in your home?

“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 niv