Whether you realize it or not, the first church (and most important one in my opinion) that your children will experience happens within the walls of your home. You set the spiritual atmosphere. You are the first line of defense against spiritual warfare and have the choice to move your family into an offensive position before attack comes. You choose what Scriptures to impart on your family. You, parents, are the ones leading your family’s spiritual journey; either towards or away from God. You have a responsibility to be an ambassador for Christ in all things within your home.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you. Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
1 Peter 5:6-9
Children Need the Most Protection
The devil wants our children. He wants to own their hearts while they are still the most vulnerable and set them up for failure before they even enter the real world. As babies and toddlers, your children are constantly learning things and growing both physically and emotionally. When children are in a formative stage such as toddlerhood, the environment can already begin dictating much of their future personality and perspective. If we ignore this time in their lives, we are really doing them a disservice in terms of their spiritual development. Ignoring this time of potential spiritual growth could be the opening that the devil needs to entrap your children in the ways of the world. While this is not the only outcome for toddlers who were not exposed to the Gospel earlier in life, why not set them up for success as early as possible?
As parents and caregivers, we are called to protect them and show them how to fight spiritual battles before they come. If we take this job seriously, our children will be ready for any advance the devil tries to take. The devil is a liar, so we need to fill our children’s minds with the TRUTH.
Ways We Minister
- Speaking truth over your children in every circumstance
- Fill your home with Scripture, both vocally and written – Write it on your walls before painting! Write it on your doorposts so everyone entering and exiting your home will be covered in Scripture!
- Fill your home with worship at every turn – Make it loud! Make it thankful! Make it prayerful!
- Show God’s love to your children – Even in times of discipline, everything can be done in love.
- Steward your bodies and home – the devil won’t be afraid to attack your health!
- Communicate about small things so they can come to you with the big things – communication and trust will always be an essential part of any relationship, so make it a foundational non-negotiable for your whole family from the beginning.
May the Lord bless your tiny church. Keep fighting for TRUTH and do not lose hope.