How to Future Proof Your Kids

How to Future Proof Your Kids with Nonstop Mom Carolyn ShuttlesworthMany parents feel overwhelmed when they think about raising children in today’s society. At first glance, it may look like the world is crumbling around you. If you’re not careful, it’s easy to focus on the negatives and begin to speak out of fear.

Just because there’s an abundance of sin at work in the earth doesn’t mean your children have to experience it in their own lives. I believe you can raise your children to be strong in the Lord no matter what’s happening in the world. Your kids are valuable next-generation leaders and are worth the investment of extra time and effort to ensure they are equipped for the future.

In this article, I want to show you what I believe are the three most important keys to instill godliness in your children. It’s important that you start as soon as possible. The Bible promises us that if we train our children in godliness, when they’re older, they’ll remain faithful to God. (See Proverbs 22:6.)

Godliness starts in the home—not in church. As parents, we should be taking great responsibility for the gifts we have been entrusted with. We are the role models that God placed in the lives of our children. It’s never too late to make a change for the better.

1. Strive to Look Different

As Christians, we need to look different than the world does. To be holy means to be set apart. We need to be aware that our children are constantly watching and learning from us. They will take their cues from us. As my husband preaches, “What one generation tolerates, the next generation will celebrate.” For example, if you don’t want your children to drink and get drunk, don’t be a drinker. We should never be comfortable doing the same things sinners do.

Drinking may not be a sin, but it can lead you to sinful actions. Why even get close to that line? Our kids need to understand that living holy lives brings blessing from Heaven. Tell them what rewards are given for living separate from the world.

Too often, we focus on the negative things that come from disobedience, but we should focus on the blessings that we receive for obedience to His Word. (See Deuteronomy 28:1-4.) Jesus never fit in to this world’s system and neither should we. (See Proverbs 21:21.)

2. Show Reverence for God’s House

Secondly, we should show reverence for God‘s house. We should make going to church a priority, not side note. We should never tell our children we go because we have to. We should tell them we go to church because we love the Lord and want to honor Him.

I also believe dressing properly is important. For example, any other day of the week I’ll let my children pick out whatever they want to wear even though sometimes they end up looking like Punky Brewster. (Those of you who are my age will understand that reference. Everyone else use Google. Haha.) On Sunday, however, I give them appropriate outfit options and always make sure they bring their Bible along with their tithe and offering. We see several places in the Bible being considered holy ground. In Exodus 3:5, it wasn’t holy because of the location, it was holy because God was there. We have to be conscious of that concept. Children should be standing during praise and worship and entering in right along side of their parents.

If they can stand in a line for two hours at a theme park, they can stand for thirty minutes and praise the Lord. The same is true for sitting still and being quiet during the preaching. If our children can sit quietly at the movies for two hours, then they can pay attention to the message during a service. The Bible teaches us that fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom (Psalm 111:10). That doesn’t mean we have to be afraid of God, it means we should respect and honor Him.

3. Create Spiritual Disciplines

Lastly, there are habits our children need to form that are vital to a successful life in Christ. Consistent prayer, study of the Bible, and learning to know God’s voice at a young age are nonnegotiable disciplines that must be developed.

Teaching your children certain verses regarding topics like healing, faith, joy, or having the mind of Christ is extremely important. Once they know what the word of God says about that topic, they can know how to pray with authority. They won’t pray begging God to heal them, they will know how to rebuke the enemy and take what belongs to them as a child of God.

Every night when I pray with my children, I pray that they will have wisdom beyond their years and discernment at a young age. 1 Timothy 4:12 shows us that your spirit man is not the same age as your natural body. Teach your children to go deeper in the things of God and you can watch the blessings and favor of God on them throughout the years.

Invest spiritually in your children beginning today. You have great purpose as a mom. I recently recorded an entire podcast episode on discovering your purpose as a mother. I know you’ll enjoy it.

Love you,
Carolyn

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12/18/2018

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How to Future Proof Your Kids

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