Raising Warriors for God

Don’t forget that parenting is spiritual warfare. We’re not just raising well-behaved kids; we’re training up the next generation of spiritual warriors.

This training goes far beyond teaching Bible stories or enforcing moral behavior. It’s about equipping our children with the tools they need to navigate a world that is hostile to their faith, to stand firm in their convictions, and to advance God’s kingdom wherever he calls them.

Here are key areas to focus on as you train young warriors:

• Identity in Christ: Help them understand who they are in God’s eyes—loved, chosen, and given a purpose.
• Biblical Worldview: Teach them to filter everything through the lens of Scripture.
• Spiritual Disciplines: Model and encourage prayer, Bible study, worship, and service.
• Apologetics: Prepare them to defend their faith with gentleness and respect.
• Discernment: Help them recognize truth from lies in media, relationships, and culture.
• Spiritual Warfare: Teach them about the reality of spiritual battles and how to stand firm.
• God’s Mission: Instill a passion for sharing the gospel and making disciples.

Remember that this training happens during everyday moments as much as during formal teaching times. Look for opportunities to reinforce these truths in daily life. When they face challenges, show them how to apply biblical principles. When they have questions, dive deep into God’s Word together for answers.

Be patient in this process. Just as a soldier’s training takes time and repetition, so does spiritual formation. There may be setbacks and moments of doubt, but don’t lose heart. Keep pointing your child to Jesus, modeling authentic faith, and trusting God’s promise that your investment will bear fruit.

As you raise a child, you’re cultivating a warrior for God’s kingdom. Your intentional training today will echo into eternity.

Action Step: Choose one of the key training areas mentioned today that you feel needs more attention in your family. Create a specific plan to address it this week. For example, if you want to focus on your child’s identity in Christ, you might start each day by speaking a biblical affirmation over your child or discussing what it means to be God’s beloved. At the end of the week, reflect on how this intentional focus impacted your child and your family dynamic. Consider how you can build on this foundation in the weeks to come.