174: Freedom over Fear: Inspiring Your Family to Fall in Love with Jesus

Do you desire to elevate freedom over fear in your family? Do you worry if you’re parenting and nurturing your child’s faith journey correctly? Today’s Faith Friday’s special guest will explore with us the art of parenting in a way that fosters trust in God over rigid obedience to rules. We’ll discuss the significance of open and honest conversations, the value of sharing personal stories, and how to encourage your child’s exploration of faith. So, let’s embark on this transformative journey of guiding your child’s spiritual growth.

Key Takeaways to Help Create Freedom Over Fear:

Companionship Over Expertise:

• • As a parent, you don’t need to be a theological guru. Just focus on introducing your children to the God you know and trust.
  • Consider yourself a companion on your child’s faith journey. Faith is more fun when we can walk hand in hand.
  • It’s okay not to have all the answers immediately. As parents, we’re still on our own faith journey. It’s okay to be vulnerable.

Exploring Together:

• • Embrace the spaces where you don’t have all the answers yet.
  • Enjoy the journey of discovery with your child.
  • Creating a freedom over fear culture exemplifies a faith exploration that can be exciting, not intimidating.

Beyond Checklists:

• • Faith is not about creating a checklist of do’s and don’ts.
  • Convey that faith is a dynamic relationship with God, grounded in trust and love.

Modeling Trust-Based Faith:

• • Children learn through observation.
  • Be an authentic example of someone who trusts God in daily decisions.
  • Share stories of how God has blessed your family or guided you through challenges. Stories are great ways to introduce the freedom over fear mindset in your children (and yourself!).

The Power of Personal Stories:

• • Personal stories hold tremendous weight in conveying the essence of faith.
  • Your children will remember these stories and carry them into their own faith journeys.

Embracing Imperfections:

• • Model the art of apologizing when you make mistakes.
  • A family apology template can help mend relationships and reinforce forgiveness as a central component of faith.
  • Teach your children that parents aren’t perfect, but their trust in God’s grace and forgiveness remains unwavering.

Four Main Tools to Create a Freedom over Fear Faith Culture in Your Home

1. Create family traditions and rituals – Don’t just think for ritual sake, but how do we make these impactful.

2- Cherish the life experiences your kids have over the long haul – even mistakes can be turned into lessons.

3- Nurture outside relationships with parents and other faith cheerleaders. It takes a village to raise a child God’s way!

4- Look for opportunities to explore Scripture in very tangible ways. Consider using age-appropriate Kid’s Bibles, having family devotions, and just “regular” talks about God. 

Conclusion

Nurturing your child’s faith is not about strict obedience but about building trust. Trust in God should lead the way; obedience becomes a natural response to that trust. As parents, we play a vital role in fostering this trust-based paradigm. Your faith stories, willingness to explore questions, and authenticity as a Christ follower will shape your child’s understanding of God and faith. Creating a freedom over fear faith culture is about showing, not just telling, your child what it means to live a life of faith. By embracing this approach, you can help your child develop a deep and genuine connection with God, fostering a lifelong journey of spiritual growth and exploration.

Thank you for joining us in this Faith Friday. I hope these insights will empower you to guide your child toward a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Get your Speak Life Affirmations by Dana Che

Ask Away Podcast for Kids by Meredith Miller 

Woven Nurturing a Faith Your Kid Doesn’t Have to Heal From Book

Meredith Miller Instagram

From Toddlers to Teens: Crafting a Lifelong Journey of Faith 

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