How to Keep Your Kids on the Covenant Path (Even in a World of Distractions!)
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In today’s world, distractions are everywhere. From social media to peer pressure, keeping your children focused on the covenant path can feel overwhelming. However, by creating a gospel-centered home, prioritizing spiritual habits, and setting a Christ-like example, you can guide your children to stay true to their covenants despite the world’s distractions.
1. Build a Gospel-Centered Home
A gospel-centered home provides a strong foundation for your children’s spiritual development. This means making Christ the center of your family life. Here’s how you can create such an environment:
Daily Family Scripture Study
Make scripture study a daily habit. Whether it’s reading a few verses together in the morning or discussing a chapter at bedtime, consistent scripture study helps your children internalize gospel teachings.
Try to set a time each day that you can stick to consistently. Kids are less likely to put up a fight with routines compared to sporadically changing Bible study time. Set an alarm for the same time each day to help you develop the new habit.
Frequent Family Prayer
Teaching your children to pray daily fosters a personal relationship with Heavenly Father. Encourage them to pray individually and as a family. Show them that prayer is not just a routine but a powerful way to seek guidance, express gratitude, and find comfort in difficult times.
If your children are like mine, sometimes they struggle with knowing what to say in a prayer. I really like the finger prayer method to assist them in prayer. Each finger on the hand has a prayer element associated with it. They are as follows:
- Thumb: Pray for those closest to your heart, like family and close friends.
- Index finger: Pray for those who guide or teach you, like teachers, mentors, or doctors.
- Middle finger: Pray for leaders in your community, country, or church.
- Ring finger: Pray for the sick, the weak, or those in need of support.
- Pinky finger: Pray for yourself.
Hold Regular Family Home Evenings
Family Home Evening (FHE) is an excellent way to teach gospel principles in a fun and engaging manner. Plan lessons, activities, and discussions that cater to your children’s interests while reinforcing gospel truths.
The church website and Come Follow Me have loads of resources to assist you with planning your family home evening.
Display Gospel Art and Symbols
Surrounding your home with visual reminders of faith can reinforce gospel teachings. Pictures of Jesus Christ, the temple, and family proclamations serve as daily reminders of the importance of living the gospel.
2. Prioritize Spiritual Habits
Incorporating spiritual habits into daily routines strengthens faith and commitment to the covenant path.
Encourage Personal Scripture Study
Teach your children to love the scriptures by helping them find stories and verses that resonate with them. Provide them with their own set of scriptures and highlight passages together.
For very young children you can photocopy the weekly images from the Come Follow Me manual and tell them about the scriptures and they can color them.
For youth, consider buying them a journal bible so that they can color, draw, make notes, and really make the Bible their own.
Promote Church Attendance and Activity Participation
Encourage your children to attend church meetings, seminary, and youth activities. Engaging with peers who share their values strengthens their testimonies and sense of belonging in the gospel community. Having strong relationships with other peers in the church can help them stay on track when more challenging years are faced such as adolescence.
Institute Sabbath Day Observance
Make the Sabbath a delight by engaging in meaningful activities such as family gospel discussions, service projects, and uplifting entertainment. Help your children understand that the Sabbath is a day to recharge spiritually and draw closer to the Lord.
If you’re stuck for ideas, you can check out our article on 10 minute Win games for children here.
3. Set a Christ-Like Example
Children learn by example. As a parent, your actions speak louder than words. Living the gospel yourself will inspire your children to do the same.
Demonstrate Faith and Testimony
Share your testimony with your children often. Let them see how your faith influences your decisions, actions, and perspectives. When they witness your dedication to the gospel, they will be more inclined to follow your example.
Be Honest About Challenges
Let’s face it: life isn’t all roses all of the time. Help your children understand that challenges and doubts are part of the journey. Share stories of your own struggles and how you overcame them through faith and perseverance. Encourage them to seek answers through prayer, study, and discussion.
Practice Charity and Service
Modeling Christ-like service instills in your children the importance of loving and serving others. Engage in acts of kindness together, whether it’s visiting the sick, helping a neighbor, or volunteering in the community.
I take my children to a nursing home to teach them to have compassion and to help others. The thing is, the kids are the ones that end up walking away with perhaps more than they gave lol. The old ladies spoil them with candies and treats. The kids always want to go back.
4. Address the Challenges of the Modern World
With so many worldly distractions, helping your children stay on the covenant path requires proactive parenting.
Monitor Media Consumption
Technology is a double-edged sword. While it offers many benefits, it also presents temptations and distractions. Establish clear guidelines for media use, emphasizing uplifting content. Use tools like parental controls and engage in discussions about media choices.
There are also loads of church-themed apps that children can use and learn from. We have coloring in app, matching bible character cards apps, and more.
Teach Critical Thinking and Gospel Discernment
Equip your children with the ability to think critically about the messages they encounter. Teach them to ask, “Does this align with gospel teachings?” Helping them develop spiritual discernment will empower them to make righteous choices even in challenging situations.
Help Them Choose Good Friends
The influence of friends is powerful. Encourage your children to surround themselves with friends who uplift and support their faith. Teach them the importance of standing firm in their beliefs while being kind and respectful to those with different values.
5. Foster Open Communication and Trust
A strong parent-child relationship built on trust and open communication creates a safe space for spiritual growth.
Listen Without Judgment
Encourage your children to share their thoughts, doubts, and questions without fear of judgment. When they feel heard and respected, they are more likely to seek your guidance in times of uncertainty.
Answer Gospel Questions Honestly
Your children will have questions about doctrine, commandments, and life’s challenges. Be prepared to answer them with honesty and humility. If you don’t know the answer, seek it together through prayer, scripture study, and trusted gospel resources.
Be Their Safe Haven
Let your children know that no matter what, you will always love and support them. A secure and loving environment gives them the confidence to stay on the covenant path, even when faced with trials.
6. Encourage Personal Spiritual Experiences
Personal experiences with the Spirit are vital for lasting conversion. Help your children recognize and cherish these moments.
Encourage Temple Attendance
If your children are of age, encourage them to attend the temple for baptisms for the dead. If they are younger, take them to temple grounds to help them feel the peace and sacredness of the House of the Lord.
Promote Personal Revelation
Teach your children that they can receive personal revelation through prayer and scripture study. Help them recognize the small promptings of the Spirit and trust in their ability to receive divine guidance.
Celebrate Their Spiritual Growth
Acknowledge and celebrate their spiritual achievements, whether bearing testimony in church, completing a scripture challenge, or choosing to serve others. Positive reinforcement helps them see the value in their faith journey.
Conclusion: Keeping Them Anchored in Christ
Raising children in a world filled with distractions is challenging, but with faith, effort, and love, you can help them stay on the covenant path. By creating a gospel-centered home, prioritizing spiritual habits, setting a Christ-like example, addressing modern challenges, fostering open communication, and encouraging personal spiritual experiences, you are providing them with the tools they need to stay anchored in Christ.
Ultimately, trust in the Lord’s plan for your children. Love them unconditionally, pray for them fervently, and continually guide them back to the Savior. With His help, they will not only stay on the covenant path but find joy and purpose in their journey of discipleship.
What actions will you take today to keep your children on the covenant path? Let us know in the comments below.
Vanessa Rooney – LDS Mum
