Ten Opportunities to Talk to Your Child About God in Everyday Life
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Most of us can probably think of a time we had an awkward conversation with our parents and secretly vowed to never subject our own children to such misery. Fast forward to motherhood and we probably have a little more sympathy for our parents. The good news is that conversations about God don’t have to fall into that painfully awkward category. There are numerous ways we can naturally weave conversations about the Lord into our everyday lives. Here are 10 opportunities to strike up a conversation about God with your kids (along with related Scriptures for each one). Depending on the ages and stages of your kids, these verses might be appropriate to share with them if the conversation allows, and they’ll definitely help prepare your own heart and mind!
1. When they see something they love in nature. || God created everything.
Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Nehemiah 9:6 - You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.
John 1:1–3 - [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
2. When they get ready to eat a meal. || Give thanks to God for all he provides.
Psalm 136:25 - he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Matthew 6:11–12 - [11] Give us this day our daily bread, [12] and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
3. When they show off a skill, gift, or ability. || God gives us abilities to glorify and worship Him.
Exodus 31:1–11 - [1]The LORD said to Moses, [2] “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, [3] and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, [4] to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, [5] in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. [6] And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you: [7] the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furnishings of the tent, [8] the table and its utensils, and the pure lampstand with all its utensils, and the altar of incense, [9] and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin and its stand, [10] and the finely worked garments, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests, [11] and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense for the Holy Place. According to all that I have commanded you, they shall do.”
Ecclesiastes 9:10 - Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
Colossians 3:23–24 - [23] Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, [24] knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
4. When they get hurt or feel afraid. || God is always with us, he is our refuge and strength.
Psalm 34:4–7 - [4] I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. [5] Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. [6] This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. [7] The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Psalm 56:3–4 - [3] When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. [4] In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?
Philippians 4:6–7 - [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
5. When they disobey. || Sin severs our relationship with God, but he offers forgiveness in his son, Jesus.
Psalm 130:3–4 - [3] If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? [4] But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.
Ephesians 2:8–9 - [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
6. When they see you reading the Bible or praying. || God wants us to spend time talking to and listening to him through his Word.
Psalm 1:2 - but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 119:15–17 - [15] I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. [16] I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. [17] Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 - [16] Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
7. When they hurt other children. || God created everyone in his image and he loves that person. He wants us to be kind to them.
Genesis 1:26–27 - [26] Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” [27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
8. When they share or show generosity. || God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:6–7 - [6] The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. [7] Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Hebrews 10:34 - For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.
9. When they show self-control instead of selfishness. || God helped you do what is right and put others before yourself. Thank you, God!
1 Corinthians 13:4–5 - [4] Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant [5] or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
Galatians 5:22–23 - [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
10. When they are ready for bed. || God loves you. He is always ready to hear your prayers.
Psalm 4:8 - In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
James 5:13 - Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
1 John 5:14–15 - [14] And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. [15] And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
For more like this, listen to Episode 27 | Intentional Motherhood: It's the Little Things and Episode 29 | Using Life-Giving Words With Our Children.
