I'm wrapping up my series today on Faith Filled Kids! If you missed the other weeks, you can find links for them below. I have so enjoyed sharing this series with you! Today I hope to pull it all together and give you some practical ways to make Jesus real in your kids' lives!

We want our kids to know about Him, but more than that we want them to really know Him. We want them to go to Him for comfort, look to Him for provision, walk with Him, talk with Him, seek Him, follow Him and love Him, with all that they are. Most of these things we do through prayer with our kids. Here are some examples:

Provision - we include our kids in conversations and prayers about spending and saving for things. We openly acknowledge that everything we have comes from God. We talk about and put into action ways that we can be good stewards of His Blessings. One very important thing we do is pray together before we shop. In the parking lot of the grocery store (or any store), before we get out of the car, we stop and pray together. We thank God for His provision and ask for His guidance in using it wisely in the store. We pray for self-control in our purchases to keep us from buying things we don't need.

Protection and Comfort - We pray for good dreams, with our girls before bed. We pray as a family in the car, before we leave on a trip or a long drive or even a big day of errands. If one of our kids is feeling sad or scared, we sit with them and talk about stories they know from the Bible, when someone was feeling that same way. Praying with them after a temper tantrum or an emotional outburst or just a really bad day is so soothing to their little spirits. I often go to the story of Jesus calming the storm and relate it to the "storm" inside of them, that makes them feel out of control.

Healing - when someone gets hurt or is sick we pray together , laying hands on that person if we can. We keep a prayer journal on our kitchen table, where we list prayer request for friends and family. We keep track of when that prayer was answered, too!

WWJD - 'What Would Jesus Do' has been a great tool to keep our kids thinking about how Jesus would want them to handle any and all situations. We took the time to explain what the saying meant. Now it's an easy reminder to them, if we see their behavior is not what we would want or if they are wondering how they should handle a situation.

I believe one of the most powerful ways we can make Jesus real to our children is by showing them that He is real to us. "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." (Hebrews 2:18) In the same way that we can read the Bible and in real ways relate our life's ups and downs to that of Jesus', our children should be able to relate to us. Frequently in conversation with my daughters I share that the same things they struggle with I struggle with too......everyday. So often my tongue gets me in trouble or I know what God would have me do, but I choose the opposite. I share with them how good it feels to go to God and admit I was wrong, ask His forgiveness and restore our relationship. Then I can help them do the same, because "we all fall short of the Glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

How do you make Jesus real in your kids' lives?

Blessings!



For the rest of Faith Filled Kids:

Week 1: Writing God's Word on Their Hearts

Week 2: Obedience

Week 3: Connect and Trust

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