Weekly Christian Parenting Challenges #9

This week many parents learned their children will be involved in distance learning at least one more semester. With the extra time your kids are home, it’s a great opportunity to help them build strong faith foundations and grow to their godly potential. Here are this week’s social media challenges for Christian parents.

Monday: Lavender, red pesto and truffle Gouda cheese? Not flavors you’re probably used to in cheese, but they’re quite good. One or more of your kids may have a gift from God that seems strange to you. Maybe no one else in your family has that gift. Or you don’t know the best way to help your child develop it. Or you may have no clue how they can use it to serve God. Don’t ignore the gift. Set out to find someone in your congregation that has a similar gift. See if they will give you tips or even mentor your child. God has given your child that gift because he or she will need it for good works God has prepared in advance. Help your child be ready when the opportunity comes.

Tuesday: Six months ago I never gave Clorox wipes more than a passing thought. Yet, last week I nearly jumped up and down from the excitement of being able to purchase this. Perspective is key. Are your kids grateful for the “little” blessings in life? Or do they complain when everything isn’t exactly like they want it? Gratitude can lead to joy. Ingratitude to misery and entitlement. God deserves your kids’ gratitude – even for Clorox wipes! Help them develop a grateful spirit.

Wednesday: Did you know even many atheist scientists are moving away from classic Darwinism because of the extreme intricacy of God’s creation? While not ready to admit God created everything, they have to admit new technology reveals intricacy that would be impossible when left to chance. Pointing out the intricacy and beauty of creation by taking your kids to enjoy it, while talking about how wonderful God is to have created can help cement God’s truths in their minds. So grab your kids and head outside. Look for the detail and beauty in your own neighborhood.

Thursday: I’m not sure if elephants really never forget, but there are important things from the Bible your kids need to remember to help them live a productive Christian life. One of the best ways to encourage them to remember important truths from the Bible is spaced repetition. Teaching them something, reviewing it and then periodically over time asking them to remember it again. The intervals can be a few minutes apart, then hours, days and weeks. The more you ask them to access those important bits of scripture, the stronger the pathways will be to them. It’s like making deep etches in their brain directly to God’s words and their application. Then your kids’ minds will easy find or even wander to scripture in their thoughts. It’s a great way to give your kids the tools to be spiritually healthy.

Friday: Henry Winkler writes books to help kids with dyslexia feel loved and accepted. Let’s face it though. Probably every kid feels like an outsider at some point. If your kids grow up to live a productive Christian life, they will always be different from most. Teaching your kids to embrace the gifts God gave them, to find their worth through God’s eyes can be tough many years. They will have a hard time feeling it’s okay to be different or have issues to overcome. Helping them develop godly self esteem that’s based on how God evaluates people will help them reach their godly potential. It’s worth any extra effort it takes.

Published by

Thereasa Winnett

Thereasa Winnett is the founder of Teach One Reach One and blogger at Parenting Like Hannah. She holds a BA in education from the College of William and Mary. She has served in all areas of ministry to children and teens for more than thirty years and regularly leads workshops for ministries and churches. She has conducted numerous workshops, including sessions at Points of Light’s National Conference on Volunteering and Service, the National Urban Ministry Conference, Pepperdine Bible Lectures, and Lipscomb’s Summer Celebration. Thereasa lives in Atlanta, GA with her husband Greg, where she enjoys reading, knitting, traveling and cooking.

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