I was recently reminded of a prayer my son prayed when he was four years old. He prayed, “Thank you for the night, thank you for the moon and all the twinkling stars. Thank you for Mickey (his stuffed Mickey Mouse went everywhere with us!), and thank you that you’re here.” Today my son is 13 years old, so to be reminded of this simple prayer brings joy to my heart!
Memories like this make me reflect on how we talk about Jesus in everyday conversations around our home.
Here are some ways that work in my family:
1. Creation.
The beauty of the sunrise on the way to school creates a perfect touchpoint to reflect on how God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23). The sing-song voice of the birds in the backyard remind us that God provides for their needs, as well as ours (Matthew 6:25-34).
2. During tough times.
When my son comes home from a rough day at school, I try to seize the opportunity to point Him to Jesus. We remind him of God’s faithfulness to never leave him or abandon him (Deuteronomy 31:6). You can show your daughter in scripture where God provided miraculously for the Israelites to cross the Red Sea on dry land to escape their captors (Exodus 14:21-31). He was faithful to provide for the needs of the Israelites and He will be faithful to provide what she needs (Psalm 36:5). Having the reminders of God’s provision in scripture helps your child see their situation in a larger context. You can provide further comfort during rough times by sharing personal experiences of God’s protection and provision in your life (or reminders of his workings in your child’s life).
3. During good times!
When things are going well in our lives, we can be tempted to try and handle everything on our own. But showing your child where God is during the good times helps deepen their faith in a strong way. Counting your blessings together can be a unifying and fulfilling moment for your whole family. And it’s always interesting to hear what your child thinks is a blessing!
4. Scripture memory.
Memorizing scripture is vital to children. Proverbs 22:6 tells us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (NASB) My son memorized the Armor of God passage (Ephesians 6:10-18) when he was in second grade. Those verses meant one thing to him in second grade, but now they mean something deeper as he continues on his faith journey. Being able to memorize scripture helps your child know that God is always with them (omni-present) and sees every moment of every day (omniscient).
5. Prayer.
Try to make praying together as a family a top priority, even if it is just at meal time! Your child will find such comfort in hearing you pray over them. Being able to remind your child that we can pray just like Jesus did will help them see the importance of communing with their Savior (Luke 6:12).
These are just a few suggestions to help you find moments in your days to talk about Jesus with your family.
I’ve told you what works well for my family, now I’d like to hear what works well for yours!
Meet the Author!
Kim Arnold has been a church member of Council Road Baptist Church for nearly 25 years. She teaches private piano lessons in her studio and at Mid-America Christian University. Her passion lies in training up the next generation of worship leaders. Kim and her husband Jason have been married for 17 years and have a 12-year old son, Nolan.
