Raising Christian kids is an exciting and rewarding adventure. There is a real goal and purpose that goes beyond teaching the values of how to live and treat others, but that there is a whole eternity waiting for them. In the process, there is some language that the Bible uses to give us keys to making parenting a serious, loving, and involved task.
While some of the words below are uplifting and encouarging, there are also some that remind us of things we want our children to avoid. Some words are actions we want our children to portray, while others are things we as parents can do to keep our children safe and happy. The words are taken from the New International Version.
Since these words are not all-inclusive of Christian parenting, it is hoped that they will begin a surge in you to think of others that would also help in raising a Christian child.
- Admonition: A warning that allows avoidance of disaster before it happens. Giving caution.
- Baptism: The symbol of washing away sin and being born into a new life.
- Covenant: Promise made by God to humans for their protection.
- David: A man giving us an example of loyalty to God.
- Earnest: Showing sincerity of feelings. Serious intention.
- Father: Depicting both God as the one in authority over everything and everyone; and earthly fathers being the authority of their households.
- Genealogy: The study of family history. Tracing where your family came from.
- Heaven: The home of God, angels, and saints who are extended the gift of salvation.
- Idolatry: Worshipping someone or something other than God.
- Jesus: The Son of God. The man whom by no one can get to heaven without knowing and accepting as their Savior.
- Law: Rules made to live by to keep harmony among people. Ten Commandments were laws given to Christians from God through Moses.
- Mercy: An act of kindness, compassion, forgiveness, without expecting anything in return.
- Name: Giving identity to a person showing that they are special because they are known to God by their name.
- Ointment: A substance used to heal a person's wounds.
- Piety: Dutiful respect to parents. Devotion.
- Quail: A small bird. To shrink back in fear.
- Refine: To come into a pure state. To turn what is coarse into something polished, elegant.
- Salvation: The power to break away from sin and receive eternal life with God.
- Tongues: Learning to tell the Good News in any language so everyone can hear God's message.
- Unclean: Sinful or corrupt.
- Vow: A solemn promise to perform an action with commitment to follow through.
- Worship: Supreme honor to God.
- Yoke: Join, link, or unite. Can also mean oppression.
- Zealous: Diligent and devoted.
If you can think of anything for the letters "K" and "X," please let me know!
