Do you want to know all about raising a Godly child? Trying to live out Christian values in the modern, secular world is hard! You want your children to know and love God, but the problem is they cannot avoid the realities of life.
What if they learn to tell lies? How do we teach them to say no to bad ideas from friends? And when is the right time to introduce them to God?
I get questions from parents struggling with building a Godly home all the time. Over time, I compiled my responses into simple, straightforward guidelines on raising a Godly child in this article.
Summary
- Raising A Godly Child
- Characteristics Of A Godly Child
- Bible Verses On Raising Godly Children
- Supporting a Godly Child
- Discipline And Boundaries
- 5 Things You Can Start Doing To Raise Godly Children
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7 Tips On Raising A Godly Child
Growing up, I was taught to fear discipline. Although it worked well, it did not teach me how to live my Christian values as a child. Godly parenting to raise Godly children relies on loving, showing, and leading in faith. Let’s look at 7 ways we can do that!
Tip 1: Leading By Example
The psychologist Albert Bandura first taught us that we can learn social behavior by looking at and following the examples of others. His suggestion, now known as the Social Learning Theory, tells us that children learn behaviors from people around them.
I always tell parents, “YOU are the first and best role model for your child.” If you want your child to be Godly, you have to show them how to be Godly as a parent. Let them see you praying, reading the Bible, and going to church regularly!
Mistake to avoid: Telling your child to do something that you never, or rarely do.
Tip 2: Reading The Bible Together
After role modeling, the best way to learn about Jesus is to read the Bible. The scriptures share how much God loves us, who Jesus is, and how He lived His life on earth. This presents a timely opportunity to introduce family devotions to spend quality time together.
If your child is too young or active, catch their attention by using a good picture bible (I use this) or simple artwork. This is a tip I use often in storytelling or playacting with children!
Mistake to avoid: Reading the bible by yourself.
Tip 3: Teaching Right And Wrong
It takes time for children to develop complex thinking skills. This means that it is not easy to make decisions, say no to urges, or keep important information in their minds!
To help them, tell them what is right and wrong from the Bible. Study the scripture together, have good discussions, and ask them what they think. As time passes, you will have a child with solid critical thinking skills.
Mistake to avoid: Allowing your child to make decisions without knowing right from wrong.
Tip 4: Loving Them Unconditionally
Loving children unconditionally means that we try hard as parents to show Godly love. As much as God loves us, show your children that you love them without conditions! If you are wondering what this means, these are some simple rules you can follow:
- Show them you love them despite anything they do
- Never withhold your affection because of their behavior
- Keeping promises made
Mistake to avoid: Ignoring or giving children a cold shoulder after they misbehave.
Tip 5: Serving Others
Keeping in line with following Jesus, we want to serve others who are in need. This means that we show we care for the poor, sick, and needy. We do not sit at home, twiddling our thumbs while waiting for these issues to go away!
Raising Christian children means that they learn how to help others at an early age. You can help them join church projects for social actions, volunteer at the soup kitchen, or bring them along on mission trips. Trust me, they learn so much more about loving and giving on one trip than multiple Bible classes and Sunday school lessons!
Mistake to avoid: Hiring a babysitter to watch the children at home while you attend to church duties.
Tip 6: Praying With Your Child
Prayer is our first and direct communication with God. How else would you introduce your child to God, than by talking to Him directly? Think of how your child met everyone in the family. It probably went something along the lines of, “Hey kiddo, this is Leonard, your uncle.”
Make time every day to sit with your child, talk about their day, and then pray with them. You can teach them a simple prayer like, “Dear God, my name is Bea and I want to know You more. Amen.”
Mistake to avoid: Praying for your children without praying with them.
Tip 7: Making A Choice Of Faith
Eventually, your child needs to decide to grow in their faith and knowledge of God. A Godly child with strong faith comes from seeking God, asking questions, and finding answers. During this time, be patient even when your child has doubts about God.
When you feel that your child is ready, help them to say the sinner’s prayer and tell them that they are a child of God. It may take time, but it is a choice to be taken seriously and willingly.
Mistake to avoid: Telling your child that they have no choice but to believe in God (trust me on this one, it backfires. A lot.).
Characteristics Of A Godly Child
Now that you know how to raise a Godly child, you may be wondering how to identify a Godly child. The 7 tips mentioned here go a long way to developing Godly characteristics. This is the key to keeping them faithful even when they are tempted to follow worldly examples.
Self-Confidence
As you model Christian living and great examples of a Godly life, your child will learn those very same living habits. They learn how to make choices based on Christian values such as love, truth, kindness, and generosity. Over time, your child’s self-confidence comes from seeing good results from Godly living.
Love Of Scripture
Reading the Bible daily with your children teaches them many life lessons. The scripture is alive and covers all areas of our lives. Lessons about forgiving others, making mistakes, and finding courage can be found in the Bible! A Godly child knows how exciting the Bible can be, and loves God’s scriptures.
Leadership
Godly children know what they believe in and how to make good choices. Critical thinking skills come easily to them because you have taught them how to differentiate between right from wrong. They can stand for what they believe in and teach other children to follow their examples too!
Values Others
Being loved unconditionally will teach your children how to value others. Knowing that they are very much loved, your child will then find it easy to love others as well. They learn that a person’s value is not based on how they look, dress, or behave. Privilege will be something that is appreciated instead of expected.
Humble
Experiences of serving in church and volunteering for social causes teach a Godly child to be humble. We live in a way that shows that God’s Kingdom is already here. It shows up in our children when they wait patiently in turn, let others go first, and talk to friendless children.
Trusts God
Children who learn to have faith in their prayers end up with strong faith. Their relationship with God is strengthened, and it leads to more Godly characteristics. Raising a Godly child will ultimately result in total faith while trusting God. They can go to God for simple requests like recovering from the flu, stopping the rain, or even parking at a crowded mall!
Highly Independent
A Godly child is highly independent. When they are allowed to make choices based on sound scripture and healthy discussions, children grow more independent. They also learn how to trust in their own choices and cope with difficult choices.
Bible Verses On Raising Godly Children
When I feel tired or exhausted from a full day of working with children, I take comfort in some bible verses directed at children. Raising a Godly child does not mean you have to do it alone, God is on your side! These beautiful scriptures are in the New International Version (NIV):
- Psalm 127:3-5 Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.
- Proverbs 17:6 Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
- Deuteronomy 6:6-9 These commandments that I give you today are to be on 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.
- Proverbs 23:24-26 The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful! My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways.
Supporting A Godly Child
Trying to raise a Godly child and building a Godly home needs some hard work. I can see you mopping the sweat off your foreheads, but I hope that these three simple guidelines will help you in Godly parenting!
Open Communication
Children say the most amazing things sometimes. Just the other day one of my kiddos said, “I’m so very bored because I have lived 9 years already.” As much as it tempts you, never jump in to correct them too soon. We want them to feel comfortable telling you anything under the sun.
Be in a strategic position where you know who the close friends and adults are in your child’s life so that they can easily share the ongoing events in their life with you. Answer all questions patiently and if possible, always direct them to the Bible.
Some good conversation starters on raising Christian children:
- What did you think about (something that happened/that book/the movie)?
- What about Jesus? Would He do the same?
- Do you think the Bible has a story on this?
- How would you respond to that?
Build A Circle Of Trust
I cannot emphasize how important it is for your efforts in raising a Godly child to build a circle of trust for them, that YOU trust. Keep yourself in the loop for any new friends or adults who are involved in your child’s life. This includes the new Sunday school teacher, the piano tutor, swimming classmates, or even the school janitor!
First of all, it helps you keep an eye on the values and actions that your child is exposed to. You cannot eliminate all forms of worldly values, but you can be aware and ready when your child asks questions about people who believe in different things.
Secondly, it prevents any inappropriate relationships from happening. Teach your child that their bodies are the temple of God and that it has to be respected. They can learn values helping them to live as a Godly child while repelling inappropriate touches.
Discipline and Boundaries
Godly parents rely on love, faith, and hope to teach their children about Godly living. However, you can’t run away from parenting measures such as discipline or boundaries! The Bible tells us that these measures are necessary to build good and holy children.
Teach your children boundaries in their early years so that they understand how rules are set. This prevents confusion when sudden changes are implemented at a later age. This can include basic routines such as keeping to time, completing chores, or following a timetable.
The two types of punishments are punitive and non-punitive punishments:
- Punitive punishments: The negative consequences that are the direct result of sin. This includes apologizing when you hurt someone, being grounded for lying, or being chastised for being rude. The two common ways of punitive punishments are scolding (or rebuking), and spanking (or scourging).
- Non-punitive punishments: Hardship or troubles that come from living in a fallen and sinful world. This is similar to the concept of discipline such as learning to cope with grit or delaying gratification. Some examples include finishing homework before playing video games, and learning how to play a musical instrument.
| Punitive | Vs | Non-Punitive |
| A direct result of sin | What it is | Hardship or troubles |
| Authority figures | Occurs through | Situational factors |
| Scolding Spanking Being grounded | Examples | SportsSkills learning Completing tasks |
| Humility Repentance | Outcomes | Patience Teamwork Humility |
If you’d like to read more about how non-punitive punishments can result in great outcomes or character development, I’d recommend “Grit” by Angela Duckworth (get it here!). It tells you exactly why difficult situations and hardships can help an individual achieve great things in their lives. The writing style is direct and its content is packed with so much research evidence on how to have passion and perseverance.
5 Things You Can Start Doing To Raise Godly Children
Now that you know how to raise a Godly child, the characteristics of a Godly child, and how to best support them, it is time to get into the practical methods of doing the work. Remember, we want them to see you living out these Godly examples so that they will learn from you.
Action 1: Start Praying For And With Your Children
Set an intentional time to pray with your child each day. Although any time will do, I find it best to do it in the early mornings or before bedtime to start and end the day thinking about God. A simple prayer with your child can look like, “Dear God, thank you for the day today. We ask that today, we can live a life of love like how Jesus loves us. Amen.”
Action 2: Worship God Together
I like to pair prayer and worship because they go so well together! Music and songs to worship God help prepare your child to talk to God in prayer afterward. Choose a simple song that your child can follow, or make it fun and turn it into a worship dance!
Action 3: Discipline In Love
Have a discussion with your spouse on the best way to discipline your child in a Godly home. Do this before any discipline is taken so that both of you are ready and agreed on the best way to proceed. After punishments or disciplinary measures, make sure that you talk to your child to let them know that you love and care for them.
Action 4: Set Quality Family Time
Families thrive when time is set aside intentionally to talk, do activities, and have fun! These days, children are burdened by the school, tuition, and activities throughout the day. Ensure that your child is not overloaded and feeling neglected by scheduling special 1-to-1 time or family time. Examples of activities can be a picnic, movie night, scripture reading, or volunteering at church.
Action 5: Support Them
When your child is interested in a topic or activity, do your best to support them by signing them up for classes, saying hi to their tutors, or buying the equipment needed for that activity. A simple way to start is by having good conversations about their interests so that they know your unconditional love for them. Trust me, your child will not forget how you attended their baseball games and how loudly you cheered for them!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Do You Raise A Child In A Godly Way?
Simple ways to raise your child in a Godly way:
- leading by example
- showing them critical thinking skills
- teaching them how to love by loving them unconditionally
- helping them serve others, sharing your faith with them through scripture
- praying with them
- allowing them to have their own faith
2. What Does It Mean To Raise A Godly Child?
Engaging your kids in a way that most accurately reflects the life and words of Jesus is how your can raise a Godly child. Role model godliness in your life and parenting style as a Godly parent. Don’t forget to seek, depend on, and live through Christ to help you parent in a way that pleases God.
3. How Do You Raise A Godly Child In An Ungodly World?
Raise a Godly child in an ungodly world by:
- Setting an example
- Letting them ask questions
- Teaching them God’s word
- Letting them know being an outcast for Christ is okay
- Teaching them to value themselves and others
- Keeping the lines of communication open
Conclusions On Raising A Godly Child
Raising a Godly child goes far beyond reading the Bible, singing hymns, or bringing them to church. Just like how our God nurtures His relationship with us, we want to do the same for our children as well. When they feel psychologically secure and attached through loving relationships, their hearts grow in readiness to receive Christ.
As faith takes time to mature, take joy in your child’s progress to learn from you, love like you, and live like you. The common goal remains to be Christ-likeness, which will happen according to God’s will.
Do you have other tips on how to raise a Godly child? Include them in the comments below!
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