7 Ways to Share Jesus with Your Toddler - Kheyla Pehlke
It wasn’t until after becoming parents that the above verse became real to us and we realized the need for discipling our children. Sometimes it can be difficult to know how to share Jesus with your toddler. Don’t worry, You’re not alone!
Our children, as perfect as they are in our eyes, are not born saved and need to decide to follow Jesus on their own. God has entrusted us with these souls and our job as parents is to shepherd them with the hope that one day they will love the Lord with all their heart, mind, soul and strength as He loves them.
When it comes to sharing Jesus with a toddler, it can sometimes seem like they don’t grasp the information which may make us feel like it’s pointless. The reality is that at this age they absorb everything and if we focus on getting truth into their heart from now, they will carry that truth with them forever.
Here are 7 ways to share Jesus with your toddler:
Prayer is essential to our relationship with God. Teaching them to pray lays the foundation they will need to build on their relationship with Him.
You dont have to pray elaborate prayers. You can even teach them rhyming prayers that they can memorize. The goal is to teach them that prayer is supposed to be apart of our everyday lives and that it’s how we communicate with the Father.
2. Worship with Them
Nowadays we have access to music everywhere. On YouTube, there are so many channels that create fun and engaging music videos for children that centre around the word of God. Some examples are Listener Kids, Watoto Children’s Choir and Bethel Music Kids.
Make it fun! Dance and sing along with them. I promise you these songs will stick and with them the truths they proclaim.
3. Take Advantage of Screen Time
Whether you allow your child to have 1 hour of screen time a day or more, I think we can all agree that the time they do spend watching tv would be better spent learning about God.
Today we have resources like Minno, Yippee TV and so many YouTube channels that are full of shows that teach about God and the Bible.
Some of my Sons favourite shows are:
When he does get screen time, I know that what he’s watching is not only for entertainment purposes but it’s also strengthening his faith.
4. Bring God into Everything
This one is my favourite because it awakens an understanding that God is everywhere and all things come from Him.
You can do this as you cook by explaining that God created and provided the foods we eat, while you walk to the park you can point out how the trees are “clapping their hands” when the wind blows (Isaiah 55:12) or how God makes the flowers grow. When children are taught that all creation glorifies God, they will see Him in everything.
“You become what you behold” and right now your children are beholding you. What better way to teach them what it is to have a heart after God’s own heart than to model it.
Let them see you worship and pray. Let them see how you give your worries to God. Show them what it means to be quick to repent and quick to forgive. Be an example of love, patience, mercy etc…
We will be the main example of Jesus to them in the first years of their lives. That’s a serious role and we shouldn’t take it lightly. This doesn’t mean we won’t fail. After all we are human. But even turning to God in our weakness and making things right is essential for them to learn.
6. Love Your Children the same way God loves you
Our children will relate to God the Father based on their experiences with us. Because of that, we must be diligent to model truths that will allow them to relate to God healthily.
We should use kindness to lead them to repentance when they make a mistake (Romans 2:4). AS God is with us, we should also be patient with them as they learn and grow and give them mercy and grace even when they don’t deserve it.
Our goal is to raise children that are confident in our love for them so that when they grow up they run to God and not from him when they fall short.
The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in
7. Read them Bible Stories
Kids love a good bedtime story. This one is so simple but so powerful because we have have the influence and power to cause them to love the scriptures and truth of God even from a young age.
You don’t have to only read the Bible to them, there are so many great Christian children books full of great lessons that point to Jesus.
Sometimes it may feel like they don’t understand what you’re reading to them or that they aren’t paying attention but if you stay consistent, one day you will notice your little one reminding you to be patient and kind because of what they’ve learned.
Disclaimer: I am not sponsored by any of the resources or links posted down below but as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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