Speaking Into Your Children’s Lives

by Kasha Henley

As church planters we want to make sure our kids are okay during this process of planting a church.  We don’t want our children to be left behind.  We want them to love Jesus, love their family, love going to church, and we want them to be apart of what God is doing in our lives.

We can get so caught up in the busyness of doing life and ministry that it is easy to overlook the 15 minutes a day that are some of the most valuable to our lives.

One thing we have found to help keep our children growing closer to the Lord and enjoy our church planting adventure is to regularly speak things into their lives.  Subjects we have covered include:

• Their role and importance in church planting
• God’s plan for their lives
• How to be humble
• Showing kindness to everyone (even the mean ones)
• How to overcome tough times
• Prayer & Devotions - importance, how to do it together, memorizing scriptures, praying scripture
• Doing what is right even when ‘everyone else’ is making the wrong choice
• Sharing with them the joys of leading a church plant
• When God answers a prayer make sure they are included in the celebration of that answer

The list could go on and on, so just pick a topic that you feel is valuable for your child’s life, find some scriptures that speak to that, and then take some time and sit down and have a little talk.  Start today.

My daughter and sons love this time with just me.  Yours will too.

Also, to help reinforce our discussions, I will leave notes in their bedrooms that say what I believe God is going to do in and through their lives, or I love them and that they are God’s creation.  Other notes tell them that I love  the way they love the Lord or thank you for who they are or express appreciation for times they were kind to a friend or their siblings.

Here is one example of a topic I have used with some scripture:

Kindness

“In everything therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”  Matthew 7:12

I use this quite a bit in our family.  It’s a great time to talk about the Golden Rule. Even though my kids say, “I know mom” we reiterate the thought if we have kindness flowing in and through our lives, we give glory to the One who gave His life for us.  (Additional scriptures:  1 Peter 3:8, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Ephesians 4:32.)

We live in a world were our children are taught that they are the center of life so giving your children practical ways to show kindness to others helps them see outside their own needs.  Make a plan and help them put it into action.  My daughter loves making cards, drawing, and making bracelets.  Giving away her creations is her way of showing kindness to others around her.

Speaking truth into our children’s lives is vital.  It can be in big or small ways, planned or spontaneous.  Remember, just choose a topic and start today.

Kasha Henely is the church planting wife of Brian and the mom of Jordyn, Gabe, & Josiah. They planted Journey Life Church in Holt, MI in 2007.  Along with being the Lead Pastor’s Wife and speaking into her kids’ lives, Kasha has a Heart to help women love who God created them to be.  Find Kasha on Twitter @KashaHenley and Facebook: Kasha Henley.