Love

Love. Our culture twists that word so much that sometimes it’s hard to get to the core of what it really means. Loving one another is a command Jesus gave us – not an option if we feel like it. How do we teach our children what love truly is? And is it really that important as we disciple our kids? Yes. When we disciple our kids, love is where we start. We rely on our Father’s love throughout the process because it is integral to effective biblical discipleship, and He is the source of love.

Showing our children love is not only how they learn to love others, it’s the first way we can begin to allow God to write His love on their hearts. Modeling love is much better than just talking about it. Jesus modeled love for His disciples. In John 15, He tells the disciples He loves them, and that they’ve seen God’s love because they’ve seen His love. Jesus already loved the disciples and knew everything about them, but He spent time modeling love before them so they could learn how to love. He was honest and transparent with them about his own communication with the Father. He knew intimate details about them that only a close friend would. He spent meaningful moments with them and included them in some of his most difficult times. And he empathized with them in their difficulties that He knew were only temporary in the scheme of eternity.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul reminds us that knowing God means we are loved by Him. Knowing and loving come as a package deal. In the same way, when we truly know our kids, we will love them. And when we intentionally love our kids, we will know more about them.

Discipling our children should always begin with a loving relationship. Love allows us to grow closer to our kids and allows them to better open their hearts toward us as parents. Love is hard, but it will also be one of the most important things we do as parents.

Hug your kids today and tell them you love them. Ask them what love means to them and discuss God’s definition of love.

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Showing our children love is the first way we can begin to allow God to write His love on their hearts.