How to Teach Your Kids (or others) to Have Relationship With God

It’s so important to me to teach my kids to have a real relationship with God, beyond salvation.  In fact, I’d say that’s part of my life’s mission and calling.  I want not only to help my kids learn how to have relationship with God but to teach others this as well.  It’s a part of why I started this blog.  Today I was reading through the Jen Hatmaker Bible plan “For the Love“.  She was discussing how kids are ultimately going to make their own decisions especially spiritually.  We can’t control or guarantee the outcome as parents.  She said “the best we can do is give them Jesus”. He is unchanging (Hebrews 13:8).

Jen shared how when we don’t know what to do, when we are grasping as a spiritual mentor, or when right words and answers fail us, Jesus can deliver.  Kids may  doubt us, but they can’t doubt Jesus because he is unfailing and dependable.  He always endures.  Jesus can lead and guide our kids during those times when we can’t and even after our job of raising them is done.  We need to remember that our children belong to God.

Raising good, godly, world-altering kids who have a relationship with God

I kind of had a vulnerable moment with God during reading this because one of my heart’s greatest desires is to raise good, godly, world-altering kids who love God faithfully with their whole heart and have a genuine relationship with God.  My kids are still young, but sometimes I worry about their relationship with God (not their salvation because I personally prayed the believer’s prayer with both of them).  I especially worry about my 12-year-old son at times.  He doesn’t seem too terribly interested in spiritual things or in true relationship with God.  That hurts my heart because I don’t know how to fix that. You hear stories of kids being raised in good Christian homes and then turning away from God.  I don’t want that.  So reading this devotional helped a little…I just need to give them Jesus.

I stopped my reading and prayed an earnest and heartfelt prayer (James 5:16) telling Jesus my concerns and desires for my kids.  I told him that right answers have failed me.  I told him that I’m concerned that I can’t guarantee their “spiritual success”.  I asked him for help.  I asked him to show me what I could do (what steps I could take) to do my part in “giving them Jesus”.  After pouring my heart out for a minute or two, I continued reading my Bible.  This verse was part of the plan and the last phrase comforted me…

“For the Lord is good, His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalm 100:5 (NLT)

Each generation… That means He will be just as faithful to my kids as He’s been to me. 😀 

Jesus will be just as faithful to your kids as He’s been to you. (see Psalm 100:5) #faithfultoeachgeneration

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Moses told stories to help people develop relationship with God

Then I continued reading in my chronological Bible reading plan.  Today’s reading was in Deuteronomy 3-4 where Moses is talking to the new generation of Israelites as they are preparing to enter the Promised Land.  This is the end of their 40 years in the wilderness so the generation of those who came out of Egypt and who received the law at Mount Sinai had died (except for Caleb and Joshua).  Moses is now teaching the next generation about how to develop a proper relationship with God.  Interesting… Isn’t that what I JUST prayed about and wanted to know HOW to do?  I think God may be trying to tell and show me something here! 😉

I started noticing what Moses was doing in his speeches to this generation.  He was telling them stories.  He shared stories of what he and their ancestors had been through and of how God was faithful and delivered them.  Specifically, in Deuteronomy 3 he was telling stories of their battles that they had fought.  I started to think, “That’s what I’m supposed to do.  I need to tell them stories like Moses did.”  Kids like stories!  

Stories about my own relationship with God as a kid

Then some of my own  stories started to come to mind.  I could tell them about the time when I was a kid, and my sister Cora almost died from pneumonia.  We prayed for her, and she was healed and recovered!  I also got to see my parents use their faith and grow in their spiritual leadership during this time too.

I could also tell them about the time when we had a chimney fire.  I remember I had to rush out of the house in PJs, stuffed animals in hand.  I also remember that I kept saying, “In Jesus name. In Jesus name.”  I recall that prior to that I had learned that Jesus’ name was powerful and that I could always call on him in times of trouble.  One of the memory verses that my mom and dad had taught us a few years earlier was Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.”  I knew I could call on Jesus’ name, and I would be safe.  Shortly after that, firemen had put the fire out with snow from the roof through the chimney without even causing water damage.

There are so many stories I could share.  The neat thing is, that I remembered some of the stories from childhood about my own relationship with God.  They are stories that my kids could relate to because I, myself, was a kid when they happened.  I could also share stories about how God has helped us in our current family.  The point is, God was showing me that I could teach my kids about how to have a relationship with God by telling them stories about my own relationship with God (past and present).

Never forget what God has done

As I continued reading in Chapter 4 of Deuteronomy Moses was going on to encourage this generation to keep God’s commandments and to be obedient to God.  Doing so would cause others around them to see that they are wise and intelligent.  He tells them to be careful never to forget and to not let the memories escape (Deuteronomy 4:9).  He tells them to pass these memories along to their children and grandchildren.

Moses’ message in Deuteronomy 4:10 is basically, “Never forget the day that you stood before God.  Let God personally instruct you.  Then you will learn to fear God as long as you live, and you will teach your children to fear God also.” (Paraphrase mine)  He also reminds them about idols, telling them not to put anything before God or in place of God.  In Deuteronomy 4:29, Moses says to them that if they will search for God with all of their heart, then they will find Him.  Then in Deuteronomy 4:37-39, he tells them to tell others what God has done for them and their ancestors and tell what that means for them.

Just as Moses instructed the Israelites to do, I need to remember what God has done for me.  I need to listen to God, and go to Him for guidance and instruction.  I need to let Him personally instruct me.  I need to always put God first–no “idols”.  I need to search for God with all of my heart.  I need to share about what God has done for me and for my family.  Afterwards, I can teach my kids (or others) this as well. Then they will also learn to have a relationship with God and teach their kids to do the same.

Here a little, there a little

As I flipped over a couple of pages in my Bible, in Deuteronomy 6:7-9 I noticed instructions on how to go about teaching and telling stories.  I am supposed to do it here a little and there a little.  It doesn’t have to be a formal, sit-down devotional time or preaching them a sermon.  Most young kids won’t respond well to this method anyway.  I also remembered that Isaiah 28:10 gives an example of teaching children.  The verse speaks of God teaching us by repeating things over and over, one line at a time, here a little, there a little.

“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. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:7-9 (NLT)

“For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.” Isaiah 28:10 (ESV)

Take Some Practical Steps to Teach Your Kids (or others) to Have Relationship With God:

• Start with building your own relationship with God first.  Read some tips on that here in this post.

“But from there you will search again for the LORD your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.” Deuteronomy 4:29 (NLT)

• Recall your own salvation and what God has done for you.  Read some more tips on how to do this here in this post.

“Never forget the day when you stood before the LORD your God…” Deuteronomy 4:10 (NLT)

“Obey the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. Remember the great things he has done for you.” 1 Samuel 12:24 (GNT)

• Go to God for guidance and instruction, and listen to Him.  He will personally instruct you.  You can go to Him for BOTH instructions for yourself and your own issues AS WELL AS how to start training your kids (or others).  This is exactly what He did for me this very morning during my own quiet time and bible reading.

“Never forget the day when you stood before the LORD your God at Mount Sinai, where he told me, ‘Summon the people before me, and I will personally instruct them. Then they will learn to fear me as long as they live, and they will teach their children to fear me also.’” Deuteronomy 4:10 (NLT)

• Remember that God is faithful and unfailing.  Your kids, and anyone else that you wish to influence, really belong to Him to begin with.  He cares about them more than you do.  His faithfulness will continue to their generation too.  He will be just as faithful to them as He’s been to you.

“For the Lord is good, His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalm 100:5 (NLT)

• Give little mini-testimonies–Tell about your battles.  Tell your kids (or others) stories about what you’ve been through and how God was faithful, delivered you through and helped you win.  You can also share with them, as Moses did, that there are rules/laws that are meant to protect them and about the importance of keeping God’s commandments.  Share about the need to always keep God first, and nothing should take His place or take priority.  Share that if they will seek God with all of their heart they will find Him, just as you have.

“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders.” Psalm 78:4 (NLT)

“”No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:39 (NLT)

• Do your story-telling here a little, there a little.  Tell your stories as opportunities present themselves and as they fit the situation.  You can pray and ask God to remind you.  For example: “Lord, Please give me opportunities to share my stories.  You say in John 14:26 that the Holy Spirit will remind of us things.  Will you please remind me of stories that I can tell if an opportunity arises?  Can you please bring things to mind for me to share at that time?”

“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. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:7-9 (NLT)

“For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.” Isaiah 28:10 (ESV)

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 (ESV)

• Tell them to remember these stories and stories of their own to pass on to their children and grandchildren.

“But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.” Deuteronomy 4:9 (NLT)

• Tell them that you (and many others) will fail them from time to time, but that God never will.

“For the LORD your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them.” Deuteronomy 4:31 (NASB)

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)

Now go and tell your stories!  Help others to build a relationship with God!

How do YOU teach others to have relationship with God? Share YOUR STORIES by leaving a comment below. 🙂  (Click on the post link to join the conversation if you’re viewing through e-mail).

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