Building family relationships during the school year can be challenging. Between activities, homework, sports, and social events, having all your family members home at one time can be rare. However, it is still crucial to disciple and teach your children to know and love God. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 gives parents a blueprint for building strong family relationships.
- “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates”—Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (emphasis added).
The Call for Parents
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.”—Deuteronomy 6:6
The foundation of strong family relationships begins with the heart. Before we can teach and model God’s commandments to our children, we must believe and obey them ourselves. This means more than just memorizing Scripture; it involves allowing God’s Word to transform our hearts and minds.
When we genuinely live out our faith, it becomes evident to our family members. Then, we can create a safe and intentional space for spiritual growth in our kids. Here are 3 ways you can set an example for your kids of how to write God’s Word on their hearts:
- Daily Devotion: Set aside time each day for personal Bible study and prayer. This helps keep God’s Word fresh in your heart and mind.
- Meditation: Reflect on specific Scriptures throughout the day. Think about how they apply to your life and your family.
- Application: Actively seek ways to apply biblical principles in daily interactions with your kids. Quote Scripture with them, post verses in your kitchen or car, and share with them what you read in the Bible.
Applying Faith to Daily Life
“You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up”—Deuteronomy 6:7 (emphasis added).
Faith should not be isolated to Sunday mornings or special occasions. Instead, it should impact every part of our daily lives. Deuteronomy 6:7 encourages parents to talk about God’s commandments in various settings and activities, making faith a natural part of their family’s conversations.
You can do this with your family in several ways throughout the week…
- Mealtime Discussions: Use mealtimes to discuss what everyone is learning from their personal Bible study, youth group, or church sermons.
- Travel Time: Whether you’re driving to school, running errands, or going on a family trip, use travel time to listen to Christian music and audiobooks, or memorize Scripture.
- Bedtime Routines: Establish a bedtime routine that includes reading a Bible story, praying together, and sharing what you’re thankful for.
Setting Up Visible Reminders of God’s Word
“You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates”—Deuteronomy 6:8-9 (emphasis added).
Visible reminders of God’s Word help your family keep their focus on Him. These reminders teach your kids the importance of applying and obeying God’s commandments.
A family mission statement is a great way to help you build family relationships around a core set of principles. This will consistently remind your family of the commitment to living out God’s Word. Once you’ve written your family mission statement, display it where everyone in the house will see it daily. A mission statement gives your kids identity and purpose and sets clear expectations for what it means to be part of your family.
Bible Verses on Building Family Relationships
These Bible verses on building family relationships give 6 ways parents can disciple and teach their children to know and love the Lord.
- Model healthy relationships
“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.”—Proverbs 13:20
The home is the first place children learn to be good friends and have healthy relationships.
2. Discipline your children
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”—Proverbs 22:6
Praying with your children, reading Scripture, correcting them when they sin, and living out your faith as an example are all ways to discipline and train your children in a way that honors the Lord.
3. Offer forgiveness
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”—Ephesians 4:32
You can model forgiveness and create a safe environment for your children by asking for forgiveness when you sin and encouraging them to forgive other family members.
4. Give love unconditionally
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”—1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Building family relationships takes work, and unconditional love is required to walk with your children through the highs and lows of life.
5. Remind your children of their identity in Christ
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”—Ephesians 2:10
Your children need to know that their identity is found in Jesus, not in what this world tells them. When the lies of the world penetrate their hearts, you can teach them to turn to God’s Word for truth.
Takeaway
As you build family relationships this school year, remember that time spent with God is never wasted. We serve a mighty God who loves us and gives us wisdom, understanding, and boldness as we lead our children.
Do you want tools and resources to strengthen your family relationships? Join our 7-week family discipleship class to build a solid foundation for spiritual growth within your family.