Raising kids in a secular world can be a challenge for Christian parents.
How can parents raise kids by instilling the “Fruits of the Spirit” principles found in Galatians 5:22-23?
Here are 9 ways:
1. Love
Love is the greatest gift you can give your kids.
Showing children unconditional love helps them grow into Fruit of the Spirit kids.
1 Corinthians 13:13 is a great starting point to help you instill love within your children: “Three things will last forever — faith, hope, and love — and the greatest of these is love.”
Love is powerful. It is unconditional. Teach your kids how to love with compassion, empathy, and patience.
Instilling love with compassion, empathy, and patience teaches understanding.
When your child learns how to understand, they learn how to show love without question. When your child learns to love without question, they learn to become Fruit of the Spirit kids.
2. Joy
Joy is a precious gift you can give your kids.
1 Thessalonians 2:20 is a great reminder to help you instill joy within your children: “Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”
Joy is precious. It is wonderful. It is contentment. Teach your kids how to have joy with happiness, laughter, and enjoyment.
Instilling joy teaches rejoicing.
When your child knows how to rejoice, they know how to share joy without reservation.
3. Peace
Peace is a lifetime gift you can give your kids.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 is a great cultivator to help you instill peace within your children. “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.”
Peace is everlasting. It is comfort. It is unity. Teach your kids how to have peace with togetherness, harmony, and cooperation.
Instilling peace teaches good-will.
When your child shows good-will, they show others how to live in peace without judgement.
4. Patience
Patience is a virtuous gift you can give your kids.
Proverbs 19:11 says: “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
Patience is a virtue. It is a habit. It is character. Teach your kids how to have patience with tolerance, understanding, and restraint.
Instilling patience teaches strength of character and self-control.
5. Kindness
Kindness is a lasting gift you can give your kids.
Colossians 3:12 is a constant to help you instill kindness within your children: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Kindness is contagious. It is inspiring. Teach your kids how to have kindness with patience, humility, and love.
6. Goodness
Goodness is another gift you can give your kids.
2 Peter 1:5 says: “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;”
Goodness is boundless. It is endless. It is inspirational. Teach your kids how to show goodness with encouragement, support, and hope.
When your child gives goodness with devotion, they become Fruit of the Spirit kids.
7. Faithfulness
Faithfulness is true gift you can give your kids.
Psalm 119:90 is a great reminder: “Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.”
Faithfulness is infinite. It is timeless. It is truth. Teach your kids how to have faithfulness with honesty, courage, and strength.
8. Gentleness
Gentleness is the spirit-filled gift you can give your kids.
Philippians 4:5: “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
Gentleness is encouragement. It is caring. Teach your kids how to have gentleness with empathy, sympathy, and compassion.
Instilling gentleness teaches humility.
When your child shows benevolence, they show grace. When your child shows grace with benevolence, they show how to become Fruit of the Spirit kids.
9. Self-control
Self-control is a lasting gift you can give your kids.
2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us: “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
Self-control is power. It is love. It is self-discipline. Teach your kids how to have self-control with restraint, capability, and discipline.
When your child shows self-control in their words and actions, they show Christ.
(h/t Christian Life Daily)