Cultivating a Love for Jesus in Your Child

Cultivating a Love for Jesus in Your Childby Ruth Schwenk I didn’t grow up in a Christian home. My parents were (and still are) loving, supportive, involved, and hardworking. But I didn’t grow up going to church, reading the Bible, listening to worship songs, or knowing Jesus. It wasn’t until high school that a friend of mine invited me to church. Youth group sounded a little less intimidating than “church” so I gave it a try... and I loved it! Not only did I come to faith in Jesus, my family, in time, would follow. By God’s grace, not only do I profess Jesus, so do my parents. Maybe your story is like mine, or perhaps you did grow up in a Christian home. Regardless, God’s Word is powerful to change and transform no matter who you are or where you are at in life. Today, as a mom to four children, one of my greatest joys is passing on the faith I have received. “Mommy I want you to read my God time to me!” Those words are like music to my ears! They are a few of my very favorite words I hear uttered every single night from my sweet five-year-old, Sophia. She is eager to learn, and I am eager to teach.  This is the great joy and privilege God has entrusted to every parent. A very familiar passage to many is Deuteronomy 6:4-9: Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. As Moses reminds the Israelite community of all that God had done, and what was still before them, he makes it clear that parents are to be teachers. Among many other things, the home must be a place where we are passing on, by teaching, the faith we have. It can be tough to know what resources are age-appropriate for a young child. We have found a storybook Bible to be a fantastic choice for a young child. One of our new favorites we have used recently is the Jesus Calling Bible Storybook by Sarah Young. Each story is the perfect length to keep their attention. The language is simple and written so their young minds can comprehend the message. It is beautifully illustrated with bright and colorful pictures to go along with each biblical story. But most of all, we love that it is centered on Jesus! More than just information, we want our children to experience transformation because of Jesus, our great God and Savior! It really is all about Him! It’s never too early to begin cultivating a love for Jesus in the life of your child. God wants to work through YOU – as a parent – to help pass on faith to the next generation! * * * Your Turn How do you help cultivate a love for Jesus in the life of your child? What are your favorite memories of talking about Jesus with your children? Leave a comment on our blog! I would love to hear from you!

NOW Save 40% OFF - Jesus Calling Bible Storybookby Sarah Young Nothing in heaven or on earth can stop Me from loving you. Jesus is calling out to our hearts, and you can hear His voice in every story in the Bible. These carefully selected stories are paired with new children’s devotions from Sarah Young and will help young hearts understand God’s grand plan to send His Son, Jesus, to save His children and prepare a place for us in heaven.  Bestselling author Sarah Young has touched millions of lives through her devotionals based on Scripture and written as though Jesus is speaking directly to the reader. This book will lead God’s children, young and old, to talk to Jesus through prayer and to listen to His voice speaking love to their hearts.