Godly Motherhood Podcast - Episode 139 - How to Respond to Kids From a Biblical Perspective
Godly Motherhood podcast – Episode 139 – How to Respond to Kids From a Biblical Perspective
Welcome to the Godly Motherhood podcast. If you’re a mom, you can’t parent in your strength. The Good News is that you aren’t supposed to. On this podcast I’ll mentor how to rest and abide in the Father’s arms. Through Him, you’ll be carried - and capable of raising each unique child entrusted to your care as you teach them to chase Christ over culture moment by moment.
Just last week, I released Godly Motherhood Podcast Episode # 138 – entitled, “How to Raise Kids to Think Critically and Biblically.” This week’s episode reiterates a small portion of that episode.
This is Episode 139 – How to Talk to Kids From a Biblical Perspective
Last week I shared some thoughts with moms in my current Set-Apart Collective program. I’d like to share a few with you now. One of the moms asked how to answer kids in a way that turns them toward God when they ask hard questions. For example, let’s say your child is trying to do homework, but gets frustrated. As moms, we want to rush in and alleviate the pain. We want to reassure them that they’re smart. Capable. Able to do the work if they try hard enough. But is that really the way to reach what they’re feeling that brought out the frustration?
SO many variables flow into how we shift from parenting from a place of wanting to reassure our kids and take away pain - or from a place of answering quickly while we juggle 10 tasks. Mothers tend to jump into erasing pain. We want to make days smooth for our kids.
We want them to see themselves as we see them.
Instead, we must remember to tend to the soil of our hearts - inhale Christ so we effortlessly exhale Him onto our children. Then work with them in ways that lead them to see themselves not as we do, but as HE does.
It's a process...that starts with us.
Having said that, let me remind you of a section from my last podcast, "How to Raise Kids Who Think Critically and Biblically:
Here are 9 ways to help your children develop biblical critical thinking skills:
1. Encourage Questions
2. Enjoy Answering Questions
3. Enforce “No Question is Dumb”
4. Seek Answers Together
5. Ask Your Child Questions
6. Allow Time to Think and Process
7. Practice Critical Thinking Together
8. Inspire Creativity
9. Read the Bible Together
Here are 4 ways to teach your child that people don’t stop to think critically when:
1. We Are Rushed – When forced to make fast decisions, people usually move with what is easiest.
2. We Are Confused – Teach your children that when something doesn’t make sense, they must make time to pray and seek God’s wisdom through Scripture and speak with someone they trust to lead and advise them in God’s truths.
3. We Are Selfish – When we follow only selfish desires, we usually make decisions we regret later, decisions that hurt others, or decisions that go against God’s desires.
4. We Are Apathetic – If children are allowed to remain indifferent or uninterested, they will not make time to seek and follow God’s values and commands.
Matthew 24:4 – “And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.”
Help your children build a framework for establishing biblical critical thinking by teaching them to: Compare everything heard, seen, or taught against the Bible.
1. Is the source of information godly?
2. Is the source of information credible?
3. Is the source of information experienced?
4. What is the motive of the source?
5. What is the perspective of the source?
6. Is the information opinion or is it fact backed by Scripture and/or biblical values?
7. Is the information backed by biblical evidence?
I remind you of these points, because teaching our kids godly esteem and identity in Christ - along with biblical, critical thinking skills will enable us to approach those remarks our kids say, like "I can't do this." or "I'm not smart enough," or "No one likes me" through a biblical and eternal lens.
Instead of rushing to reassure our kids that we believe in them, ask probing questions like Jesus did. Like those I mentioned earlier, but in context of the remarks your kids made.
Sometimes we think we know where their mind is - and they may be a mile away from where we suspect. Asking questions will invite and allow better understanding and godlier leadership for our kids.
Don't rush in to make things smooth, easy, or fast for kids either. (ie:"I believe in you." "You can do this.") We usually need to "walk through the pain" of what we (or they) are thinking or feeling (with godly guidance) in order to reach real transformation.
The responses they give will lead us to reflect and answer with responses - when we're pursuing God consistently - and in ways that what we say matches our actions, attitudes, and desires.
Raising kids is a process guided by prayer, the Word, and communication that points to God in every situation. Just as our answers and responses to questions and remarks should be.
If you’d like to dig deeper, send me an email.
Thank you for listening to this podcast. The Godly Motherhood podcast will be absent from the airways for a few weeks while I complete final edits on my book, “The Good Mom Trap.” When the podcast returns, we’ll have more episodes to flesh out questions like those posed in this episode, interviews, and biblical teachings to equip you in areas of godly womanhood and motherhood.
Dear Heavenly Father, You are the Great I Am, the Maker of all things, the designer of our soul. How blessed we are to know You, to have You available for all things at all times. We praise and thank You for entrusting Your precious children to our hands and homes. Please enable us to seek You first in all things. Help our thoughts be so connected to Yours that our words reflect Yours and we direct the children in our care straight to Your heart and truths. Help us not rescue them, but help them build identity through Jesus as Savior. Help us not alleviate all pains, but help them resolve troubles by resting in Your capable arms. May it be so because we are already there. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Thank you for listening to this episode. I have a free resource you’ll find helpful as you navigate your daily routine as a mom. If you’re ready to become the godly mother God entrusts you to be for Him and His children, you’ll love my free “Good to Godly: A 31-Day Scripture and Prayer Guide for Moms.” Visit terrihitt.com to receive this resource.
Also, if you’d like to get more info or get on the waiting list to hear when the next Godly Womanhood or Godly Motherhood program begins, send me an email at info@terrihitt.com.
Time is short. Leave a legacy that lasts into eternity. Unless you’re purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway your children away from Christ. Focus on eternal purpose and connection with your children and Christ.