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How Do We Apprentice Our Children in the Way of Jesus?

This is my prevailing question. I’m young in this parenting journey, and there is so much I have not yet experienced. How do I model and call my children to authentic faith in Jesus? I haven’t done this before! Can I show them how to know Him, be with Him, and to do as He did?

Let’s ask this question together as we encourage each other in every stage of our parenting journeys! Let’s share stories of hope and discouragement. Let’s share resources and best practices, because we all need the community of saints around us in this. We are each of us walking fresh in our current stage of parenting.

Twice I have taken my children to volunteer with me at the Red Bank Food Pantry. Y’all, it’s amazing the amount of food they provide for families!  It is well organized and the people there are treated so honorably. And while I was encouraged by the volunteers and blessed by interactions with the families there, I was there as a mother, and the best part was getting to watch my daughter!

Her 6 year old heart and mind took it all in. She couldn’t believe that she had a place – a role in HELPING! It became her mission to be the best “bagger” ever in the history of all food pantries. I saw her bring joy and countless smiles to people as they saw her delight in having a role to play. Y’all, it was powerful and precious and oh so simple yet profound. 

One way we can apprentice our children is with the mindset and posture that we are alongside them in this journey. Let them find their place in honoring and caring for others as we do the same. There are so many varied ways we can do this – make a meal for someone and have your child go with you as you drop it off. Take them with you to cut a neighbor’s grass for free. Or simply let them put the money in the Offering basket as it is passed around. It is a delight to watch our children learn to walk in His ways to the glory of His name. And maybe our Father God looks upon us with the same delight, that we, his children, are so simply and earnestly excited to play our part in His good story.

And before we leave the Food Pantry, let’s just pan across the gym to my sweet son who is at the end of his rope and is loudly whining that he is “STARVING” (he’s had 3 snacks, y’all)  as we are helping families at the FOOD PANTRY. That’s another blog post for another day about how I am equally proud of how my son learned to sit and wait quietly and trust that his needs will be met by his loving mother…haha, it was ironic to say the least!

by Sarah Stone, MRB Children’s Director