It’s that time of year again—new backpacks, sharpened pencils, and the unmistakable scent of freshly opened notebooks. But as we prepare our children for the classroom, are we equally prepared to engage with them beyond it?
The start of a school year offers more than just new academic opportunities; it’s a fresh chance to connect, guide, and understand our children on a deeper level. So how do we, as parents, make the most of this pivotal moment in time?
Deuteronomy 6:4-7 says, 4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Even if we are involved in great churches and solid schools, it is our responsibility as parents and grandparents to intentionally disciple our kids and to show them what life looks like when we love God with all our heart, soul, and might.
So how do we teach this diligently to our children when we sit in our house, as we walk by the way, when we lie down and when we rise? Well, it starts with an intentional plan of action and it ends with…actually, it never ends. 🙂
If we aren’t intentional with discipleship, the busyness of life will take over, and we will look up to find our kids are leaving home and we are left holding the bag of good intentions. This time of their life is fleeting. “It is a timed event with eternal consequences.” (Matt Whitling) So let’s get started with a plan!
HERE is a Back to School Game Plan by Empowered Homes and is a great place to begin. It has conversation starters and tips to equip your kids for the year ahead. If you have teenage kids, Axis has just released their Back-to-School Guide. Axis is a great resource tool all parents should tap into if they want to stay up to date with what teens are listening to (music) and watching (movies and TV shows), as well as social media trends. They have a team that does the work for us, then sends a weekly correspondence called “The Culture Translator” so we can stay relevant and engaged with our kids. You can subscribe to the Axis emails and/or podcasts HERE.
By staying engaged with your kids and finding ways to lay Faithful Foundations, you will begin and/or continue to build a spiritual heritage for your family that will last!
