Faith In God: A Family's Sacred Bond

Faith is a cornerstone of the body of Christ, and families play a crucial role in passing on this faith to the next generation. The Bible teaches that God created the family to reflect His character and provide a safe place for children to experience God's love and learn to love others. Families are meant to be a community of believers, sharing life together and supporting one another through the ups and downs of life. This includes practicing spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers. By living out their faith in their daily lives, Christian families can exhibit great faith in God and pass on a legacy of hope, love, and trust in God to future generations.

Praying and consulting God

Praying is a way of developing a relationship with God. It is a way of inviting God into your life and surrendering control to Him. Through prayer, you can express your love for God, apologise for your wrongdoings, and thank Him for His blessings. You can also bring your concerns to God and ask for His guidance and help in making decisions.

How to Pray

There is no secret formula to praying. God delights in honest communication with His followers. You can address God directly, using terms such as "Father God," "Heavenly Father," or "Almighty God." You can pray silently or out loud, whichever makes you feel more comfortable. It is beneficial to find a quiet, distraction-free place to pray, although God will hear you wherever and however you choose to pray.

When to Pray

The Bible offers guidance on when to pray. For example, Proverbs 3:5 advises believers to "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." This verse encourages Christians to rely on God's guidance rather than their own knowledge when making decisions. Another relevant verse is Proverbs 3:5-6, which states, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." This verse emphasises the importance of trusting in God's plan and seeking His direction in life.

What to Pray For

You can pray for various things, including guidance, wisdom, forgiveness, protection, and strength. You can also pray for your family, friends, career, and your understanding of the Bible. Additionally, you can pray for Christians facing persecution and for the spread of God's kingdom.

The Power of Prayer

Prayer is a powerful tool that can bring you closer to God and help you develop a stronger relationship with Him. It allows you to recognise God's sovereignty and your dependence on Him. Through prayer, you can gain strength, wisdom, and peace, knowing that God is with you and will provide for your needs.

Answering Prayers

While God may not always answer prayers in the way you expect or hope, He does hear and answer prayers according to His perfect will. Remember that God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. He knows your genuine needs even before you pray, and He will answer your prayers in a way that is best for you.

Praying as a Family

Praying together as a family can help children understand the importance of prayer and develop their own relationship with God. It also strengthens the family bond and creates a safe and loving environment for children to grow and learn about God's love.

Consulting God

Consulting God means seeking His guidance and direction in your life. It involves trusting in His plan and allowing Him to lead you on the right path. This can be done through prayer, meditation, and studying the Bible. By consulting God, you acknowledge His sovereignty and submit to His will, trusting that He will guide you and provide for your needs.

Teaching children about God

Introduce Them to Jesus

The first step is to introduce your children to Jesus and show them how to have a relationship with Him. This can be done through Bible stories, bedtime stories that include your child as the main character, or by reading the Bible together. By reading and discussing Bible stories, children can learn about God's love, grace, and forgiveness. For example, the story of David and Goliath teaches that we need to be on God's side, and that God is always with us and gives us strength.

Encourage Daily Quiet Time and Bible Study

Encourage your children to create a daily quiet time habit where they can learn to grow closer to God through Bible study. This can be done through a simple, step-by-step Bible study method such as the 5Rs Bible Study™ Method: Read, Rewrite, Restate, Relate, and Respond. This method allows anyone to read any verse, understand it fully, relate it to their lives, and then create a simple plan for change.

Talk About God Often

Make talking about God a natural part of your daily routine. Give Him praise when something good happens, and explain how He is helping you through difficult situations. Let your children see how God is an integral part of your life and let your joy in the Lord be contagious!

Compliment Christ-like Qualities

Instead of only complimenting your children on their looks or talents, praise them for their spiritual virtues such as kindness, compassion, truthfulness, and patience. This will help them see that these are the most beautiful attributes a person can have and will help them reflect on God's nature.

Memorize Scripture Together

Teach your children to memorize Scripture, as it will be a priceless gift when they face difficulties and temptations. Put the verses to music or learn songs that are woven with Bible verses to make memorization easier and more enjoyable.

Explain Big Concepts

Don't shy away from difficult truths. Children understand more than you think and are capable of grasping complex concepts about God. Be willing to tackle tough questions about faith and use them as opportunities to study the Bible together.

Actively Educate

Take an active role in your children's education, whether they are homeschooled or attend public or private school. Supplement their learning with a Biblical perspective and equip them with tools of faith that they can use when faced with atheistic ideas.

Promote Youth Group Participation

Encourage your children to participate in youth group activities and make their involvement mandatory. While they may be more interested in the "fun" activities at first, their participation will help them develop a deeper love for God.

Model a Good Attitude

Exhibit joy in worship and service, and always say "We get to go to worship today" instead of "We have to go to worship today." Show them what a privilege it is to be a Christian and to have the opportunity to serve God!

Keep Entertainment Pure

Let God into every part of your life, including your entertainment choices. Know what your children are watching and the values, language, and lifestyles that are promoted. Choose entertainment that aligns with your Christian values, such as the Veggie Tales series and Digger Doug for younger children.

By following these suggestions and making God a central part of your family's life, you can help your children develop their own faith and have a deeper understanding of God's love and grace.

Applying faith to everyday life

Prayer and Meditation

Daily prayer and meditation are powerful tools to connect with God and strengthen your faith. Start your day with prayer or meditation to establish peace and harmony. Take at least 10 minutes each morning to pray or meditate, improving your self-awareness and easing your stress.

Spiritual Discipline

Spiritual disciplines such as attending church services, participating in mass, and engaging in volunteer work can help you stay connected to your faith and your local church community. Even if you cannot attend in person, many churches offer virtual services or record their masses for online viewing.

Scripture and Study

Devote time to studying Scripture and reflecting on its teachings. Slowing down to savour passages from the Bible can help you internalise its lessons and apply them to your life. Consider joining or starting a Bible study group with family or friends to deepen your understanding and connect with others.

Trust and Surrender

Have complete trust in God and surrender to Him and His ways. Remember that He knows what is best for you, and avoid questioning His will. When you trust Him fully, you will feel His presence strengthening and uplifting you.

Gratitude and Positivity

Practising gratitude is an essential aspect of faith. Learn to find the silver lining in difficult situations and be thankful for God's blessings. Avoid negativity and focus on living a clean, innocent life as a child of God, even in the face of challenges.

Faith in Relationships

Apply your faith to your relationships by removing yourself from unhealthy dependencies and trusting God to provide for your needs. Forgive those who have deceived you and seek to build relationships up instead of tearing them down. Remember that God can heal and transform even the most challenging relationships.

Health and Daily Living

Incorporating faith into your daily life can positively impact your health and well-being. Research has shown that spirituality offers social cohesion and a sense of community, leading to improved health behaviours and outcomes. Older adults with higher spirituality reported increased physical activity, healthier diets, and lower stress levels.

Reading and reflecting on Scripture

Scripture reading and reflection are essential spiritual practices that can guide and strengthen your faith. The Bible is a gift from God, proclaiming his love and showing us how to live a godly life. It is our guidebook, providing clear direction on God's will for our lives and answering our big questions.

The Bible reveals God's character and nature, and by reading it, we gain a deeper understanding of who God is and his plan for us. It is a source of teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness, equipping us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Regular Bible reading reorients our thinking and helps us grow in maturity, an essential part of the Christian calling (Ephesians 4:14-16; Romans 12:1-2).

Building a Habit of Bible Reading

Treat Bible reading as a spiritual discipline, and if you lack the desire to read, pray and ask God to give you a hunger for his Word. Set aside dedicated time each day to read Scripture and make this a non-negotiable priority. Find a consistent place and time for your readings, and consider using a Bible reading plan to keep you on track.

Approaching Scripture

When reading the Bible, it's important to consider the context of the text. Read whole books of the Bible rather than isolated passages to understand the broader message and avoid misapplication. Always reflect on what the text reveals about God's character and nature.

Reflecting on Scripture

Take time to meditate on and internalize the Scriptures, allowing them to become ingrained in your life. This reflection time is an opportunity to listen to the Lord and understand how he is guiding you. It can prompt you to action, such as reaching out to someone in need or making changes in your life to align with God's principles.

Studying the Bible

A comprehensive study of Scripture involves digging deeper into the historical and cultural context, using commentaries, and engaging with other believers in Bible studies or seminars. This type of study requires research, concentration, and prayer to ensure an accurate understanding of the text and its application.

Applying Scripture to Your Life

Living by faith means applying Scripture to your everyday life and decisions. This includes your relationships, health, and daily living. By praying and acting on God's Word, your faith will grow, and you will see God's power at work in your life.

Ideas for Families

• Discuss Bible verses or stories that stand out to each family member and why.
• Encourage children to ask questions and explore the purpose of family through Scripture, such as God's design for marriage and parenthood (Genesis 1:27-28).
• Create family activities centered around Scripture, such as drawing, journaling, or acting out Bible stories.
• Pray together as a family, thanking God for each family member and asking for his blessing and guidance.
• Engage in service or mission projects as a family, inspired by Scripture, to put your faith into action and bless others.

Attending church and worshipping together

Unifying the Family

Family worship and attending church together can help draw your family closer together. In our modern world, families often find themselves fragmented and pulled in different directions by various activities and pursuits. By prioritising time to worship together, your family can connect in powerful ways and develop a unity based on a shared faith and belief in the Lordship of Christ. This unity can serve as a strong foundation for your family, helping you face life's challenges and trials as a united front.

Providing Space for Dialogue

Family worship and church attendance also provide a dedicated space for open dialogue and discussion. Before or after worship, families can take the opportunity to discuss schedules, plan activities, and address any concerns or issues that may be affecting the family. This aspect of family worship promotes clear communication and helps keep the family unified and on the same page. It also allows parents to instil values, principles, and a sense of right and wrong in their children.

Creating Life-Giving Spiritual Traditions

By worshipping together as a family, you are also creating and passing down spiritual traditions to future generations. Traditions are an essential part of any community, including the family unit. They provide stability, create lasting memories, and give your family a sense of identity. Spiritual traditions, such as regular family worship, can become a source of comfort and strength for your children as they navigate life's challenges and form their own spiritual beliefs.

Invigorating Christian Marriages

Family worship has the potential to strengthen and invigorate Christian marriages. When husbands and wives come together to worship God and seek His will for their family, their spiritual oneness is enhanced. This shared spiritual practice can lead to a deeper connection and a stronger marriage. Additionally, family worship provides an opportunity for husbands to lead their families spiritually, fostering respect and admiration from their wives.

Training for Worship in the Assembly

Honouring God

Finally, and most importantly, attending church and worshipping together as a family honours and glorifies God. It demonstrates your commitment to following His commandments and seeking a deeper relationship with Him. By putting God at the centre of your family life, you are acknowledging His sovereignty and inviting His presence into your home. This act of submission and devotion is pleasing to God and can bring His blessings upon your family.

Frequently asked questions