Hi friend, this post is part of my series: parenting a hurting child. I pray that you will be blessed. Check out the other posts in the series and be sure to subscribe so you won’t miss any updates.
We marched all around the church that summer. Waving flags up and down the aisle while shouting something about an “Arky arky.” The days were short and God’s word filled them. Stories of Bible heroes grabbed our hearts as we marched in “The Lord’s Army.” It was just one of many summers spent at VBS memorizing God’s word. In fact, scripture was no stranger growing up. Sunday school, GA’s and even youth group promised to fill our hearts with God’s word. And it did. But it wasn’t enough. Without the constant use of scripture at home, they were just words temporarily filling space in our memories. Sure, some were etched and would never be forgotten, but most fell silent and meaningless.
When the storms began to rage in my home, only a few truths remained. I found myself desperate for the Word and my kids experienced that same hunger with me. We quickly learned that all scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching…so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Our situation was desperate and there was no doubt that we needed to be equipped. I had no hope to offer them, but scripture did.
Why should we teach them scripture?
As a parent, we are responsible for teaching our children. We teach them to use the potty, to eat with a fork, and to put on their shoes. In fact, every single thing that we do with our kids is teaching something. The question is…are we forgetting to teach the scriptures? God says, “Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deut. 11:19) No WHERE in His word does God actually command us to teach our kids math or reading. I’m sure He’s not against it, but he clearly commands that we teach them scripture. Funny that we are ever so guilty of tossing this aside as an “extra.” No, I’m not pointing fingers. This guilty party sulks at that reality just as much as you do.
If we miss this command, we leave our kids without the tools that they need to walk through life. Scripture is crucial. It comforts, it teaches, and it convicts. Without it, we are left wandering in the land of our own selfish judgments and our thoughts center around what WE think. Or worse…without scripture we are left hopeless when life’s circumstances begin to rage. You can’t stand on the promises if you don’t know them!
When do we teach them scripture?
We’ve already seen that scripture should be taught as a natural part of life…as we sit at home or walk along the road. Anytime…every time is a good time to teach God’s word. However it’s important to note that it’s not always appropriate to teach scripture in a heated moment. You know the kind. Little sister has just punched her brother because he was being a pest, tears are falling and anger raging. Sometimes this is NOT the right time to smack them in the face with God’s word. A simple reminder of what God’s word says would be in order, but if you haven’t taught this consistently…now is not the time to begin.
God DID NOT inspire scripture to condemn, but to convict. In fact, we are not called to condemn our children. We can teach them, show them, and remind them of scriptures, but we must leave the convicting up to God. Any judgement we pass would be condemnation. In the hear of the moment, this is best done by asking questions to get your child thinking…
Can you think of a verse that applies to this situation?
Do you think your actions are/were pleasing to God?
If you could do this again, what would you do differently?
Whose voice are you listening to? (Bible says we can’t serve two masters. So you are either obeying God or satan.)
What scripture do we teach?
Everything of course, but here are some of the favorites from parents just like you in the trenches. (Taken from a poll of my readers on Facebook a few week ago. Hey, are we connected on Facebook? I hope so!
Love up and love out… Luke 10:27, paraphrase came from Lara
This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. James 1:19
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22
Do everything without complaining and arguing. Philippians 2:14
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise—so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. Ephesians 6:1-3
Be kind to one another and build each other up! 1Thess 5:11
He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17
Dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Phil 4:8
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Be kind and compassionate, forgiving one another. Ephesians 4:32
How do we teach them scripture?
Since we have already established that we need to teach them naturally, we will need to be diligent as parents to know the word ourselves. We can’t teach what we haven’t already put into our own hearts. But even if we have lots of God’s truth in our hearts, it’s still easy to forget in the moment. We can be intentional by using resources such as Wise Words for Moms and We Choose Virtues. (Get We Choose Virtues for 15% off with the code VIRTUE15)
When an issue seems to be dominating our home, I create a list of applicable scriptures and post them around our home. I’ve made two of these into free printables: God’s Truths for Hurting Hearts and Truths about Fear.
All of these things have served me well in the past, but recently I’ve found a new favorite that I want to share with you. The Child Training Bible is a beautiful resource. The kit helps families organize a special Bible that is used for teaching God’s word when discipline becomes an issue. There are tabs that link straight to the appropriate scripture. Perfect for that moment when you really can not remember the right verse to share with your child. The Child Training Bible covers pride, anger, lying, complaining and much more. Probably my favorite part is that each topic has many scripture references. Some of which are examples of what God wants to see instead of that negative issue that we are working to rid ourselves of.
Do you have a favorite parenting scripture? Share it with us!
This post is part of ihomeschool network’s Hopscotch series.
Kim Sorgius
Kim is just a girl, crazy in love with Jesus. She's a single mother of 4, a passionate homeschooler and life-long student. After teaching 8 years in public school, she traded her M.A. in Early Childhood for sippy cups and homeschool co-ops. Kim is the owner and editor of The Homeschool Village and Not Consumed where she encourages others to rest victoriously in the hands of God, rather than allowing life's difficult circumstances to consume.
Follow Me:
Last updated by at .
We’re constantly reciting….”In humility, considering others better than yourself…”
Love your blog and most especially this series. My brother passed away almost three years ago at the age of 25. He left behind 2 children, then ages 1 and 7, and their mother was unfit. My husband and I (along with my parents) are helping raise the children and it is often a struggle to help them through the hurt/confusion.
My favorite scripture for children is: Be kind to one another and build each other up! 1Thess 5:11
Have a blessed day!
I love teaching my children about Love, through 1 Cor. 13.
TRUTh – nothing but the truth – it all comes from Him and we are to teach them at all times! Follow the first Commandment….and the rest…falls into place! Love ya! GREAT post/review and giveaway!
Do everything without complaining and arguing. Philippians
Eph 6:1
I love teaching the kids about the Lord. He is constantly showing me things through them.
This is SUCH an amazing resource!! I have been checking this out for quite some time…what a fabulous giveaway! Sometimes, I feel like I’m not even equipped to teach my children ANYTHING out of the bible, but the Child Training Bible takes out all the guess work!!
One of my favorite verses to teach children……Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
This is one of my favorites, and a great reminder to me as a parent for sure!
I also love Philippians 2:14
Do everything without grumbling or arguing
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” ~ Philippians 4:13
Joshua 1:9
We have been ending our pre-school time with the Lord’s Prayer
Col 1:15…that He would have first place in all things…..how can we breathe without remembering that? may it be written on my children’s hearts daily so they never forget!
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and anyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God. He that loveth not, loveth not God for God is love. 1 John 4:7,8
1 Peter 4:8
Above all things have fervent love for one another for love will cover a multitude of sins.
We are currently committing to our hear Rom. 3:23
Currently we are working on Eph 6:1 and Deut 5:16-obeying and honoring our parents right away
Okay, confession, I have one of these already but if I were to win I know EXACTLY who I want to share this with and would love to bless her with a copy!!!
We read the bible daily. We recite Galations 5: 22-23 Fruit of the Spirit, My grandson is 5yrs old. His mother and father are on drugs and my husband and I raise him. It is so hard on him sometimes. I have really enjoyed this series. Thank you so much for doing this. God Bless You
I love Hebrews 11:1 – it’s been very instrumental for our family the past six months as one of my children has leukemia.
I don’t have a specific verse, exactly. I tend to try to find scripture that relates to a “problem” that is happening at the time. For example, when one of my children was struggling with showing love, we studied 1 Cor 13:13; when another was exhibiting unkindness but saying the “right” words, we focused on 1 John 3:18.
Right now we are learning about Hebrews 11:6! It is impossible to please God without faith and so we have to make sure we are building that every day!
My favorite verse is Children Obey Your parents
I just love how perfect God’s timing can be. Luke and I have been talking about being more intentional in teaching scripture to our girls. I was even thinking about emailing you for some suggestions of good verses for toddlers. Guess I don’t need to now
Hehe! Love it when God does that. He’s so cool…
Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 11:19 This is a very challenging verse but I love the picture of communing over God’s Word with our children wherever we are.
My favorite verse to teach my children is a whole chapter, it is Psalm 23, we practice it every day.
“Take hold of instruction, leave it not: keep it, because it is thy life.” Proverbs 4:13
Gal 5:22-23. The fruits of the spiry. I also did this with my Sunday school class.
Fruits of the Spirit… spell check
one of our life verses is Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself inthe Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
I like to use something like Proverbs 3: 11-12…My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth He correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Proverbs 9:10… it’s the beginning for all of us, not only children, but definitely my favorite place to start with my kiddos.
Good suggestions and tips. We have quite a few that we (the kids and i) have hidden in our hearts. We just finished 1 Cor 13. Before that and probably my most recent favorites have been selections from Matthew 6. And i will often teach a proverb that pertains to an area of struggle. Not for throwing at them in an emotional moment but for later instruction. This is good for me too.
Would love an additional resource
I would really like to win this. I can always use more help teaching my kids scripture.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Do all things without complaining.
I’m guilty of teaching my children the words to Christian songs more often than I teach them actual scripture. I need to be more diligent about feeding them God’s word.
My daughter would love this. Thanks!
Forgot the verse. Proverbs 15:1 – A soft answer turns away wrath.
Philippians 4:13
What a great post. For little ones we highly recommend Sally Lloyd-Jones’ The Jesus Storybook Bible. We just got our copy of her newest devotional (can’t think of the name right now, but it was published this month), and can’t wait to dig in.
Here from the Hop.