The Power of Belief

We can take a person, dress them as a warrior, train them as a warrior, make them look and act like a warrior. But in the battle, will they fight?

So it is with our children. To a certain extent, we can make them look and act like a Christian, hoping they will become one–and because we hope they won’t embarrass us. But when the spiritual battle comes, will they fight? In their heart of hearts, do they love God? While spiritual exercises help form inward realities, like warriors putting on their uniforms, outward appearances do not necessarily reflect the heart.

More than anything, we want our children to love the Lord. We want them to follow Christ, to belong to his church, to be changed by his leading. It’s easy to focus on the aspects we feel we can control—the ways they behave. But if we prioritize controlling their appearances too much, our biggest desire for their hearts—and the love God offers—can be lost.

Like parents, churches work to disciple people in three areas: believe, belong, and behave. All three are important, and all churches have strengths and weaknesses in it. A church heavily focused on getting people to belong might struggle to keep sound doctrine. Churches that emphasize behavior too strongly can become rigid and rule bound. But when belief is the priority with belonging freely given and behaving encouraged through grace, people of all ages can gain a healthy understanding of faith, God, and the community God calls us into.

“All of you praise me with your words,
but you never really think about me.
It is useless for you to worship me,
when you teach rules made up by humans.”

Matthew 15:8-9 (CEV)

When Jesus addressed the religious leaders of the day, he targeted the core of the matter. They looked good, but they didn’t love him. They focused on “rules made up,” ignoring God’s actual commands in the law (see Matthew 15:1–7). They probably made their parents proud with their reputations and wise-sounding teaching, but it didn’t matter to God. Their hearts weren’t right.

Encouraging kids to decide that they want to love and obey the Lord can be a sensitive, sometimes difficult path. It will not happen automatically. We need God’s wisdom for our words and actions so we can give both grace and guidance. And we can pray for a church that helps us teach and model a love for God to our children.

Pray

Lord, it’s so easy to worry about how my kids are making me look. But you know their heart. Help me to focus on the important things with them—especially loving you. Please give me wisdom to do that. Give me a heart that loves you. And help us find churches that will encourage us. Amen.

Time to Talk

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Question(s): Do you feel like you have to act good in public? At home? Why is that important? What is even more important?

Keep It Going

Related passages: These additional verses will help parents expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Ezekiel 33:31

Mark 7:20-22