Living Like Jesus

As a Christian parent, teacher or children’s ministry worker, you’ve probably thought about the spiritual well-being of the children in your care. Maybe one of the questions on your mind is, “Am I focusing my efforts on the right thing?”

What are you focusing your efforts on? You can’t hit a target if you don’t aim for it. Do you have one objective in mind above every other thing?

There are many good things we can do for children’s spiritual well-being, but what’s the best thing? Surely the best thing is what God wants for our children. And what does God want for our children? He wants them to live like Jesus.

What does God want for our children? He wants them to live like Jesus. Share on X

Everything we do with children should ultimately aim to help them “to think and act like Christ Jesus” Philippians 2:5 (NCV).

Note the phrase “think and act.” Thinking informs actions. If children are going to live like Jesus, they need to think like Jesus. So, how do we equip children to think and act like Jesus? By teaching them to do three things:

1. Strip away anything and everything that hinders following Jesus (cf. Hebrews 12:1b).

Children must choose between the world and Jesus (cf. 2 Timothy 2:4). This involves a disconnection and reconnection with the world. We must guide children to “not love the world or anything in the world” (cf. 1 John 2:15) while simultaneously being taught how to be salt and light to the world (cf. Matthew 5:13-16). There can be no worldly accommodation, compromise, exception or entitlement. Children must fully reject the world’s ways and radically embrace a dynamic allegiance to Jesus (cf. Luke 14:33, James 4:4).

Children must be guided to not love the world or anything in the world. Share on X

2. Root out and avoid sin (cf. Hebrews 12:1c).

There are no shortcuts to living like Jesus. Sin is what we think, say and do that God doesn’t want us to think, say or do. When children sin, it leads them away from the One who is life, robs them of the ability to understand spiritual truth, fosters fear, suppresses prayer, and steals their peace and joy. We must teach children what sin is, how to confess sin, and how to live righteous lives.

Children must be taught what sin is, how to confess sin, and how to live righteous lives. Share on X

3. Run with endurance (cf. Hebrews 12:1d).

When we invite and encourage children to live like Jesus, ridicule or hostility are inevitable (cf. John 15:18-21). This is a reality. Children will be criticized or persecuted when, as they should, they rebel against everything in the world that distracts or detracts from making Jesus their “one thing” (cf. Philippians 3:13). To deal with ridicule, hostility, or criticism, children must be shown how to draw on the strength and comfort that God provides (cf. Psalm 46:1-3).

Children must be shown how to draw on the strength and comfort that God provides. Share on X

Living like Jesus … imagine what would happen in our homes, schools, churches, and communities if a generation of children started to live like Jesus.

So, how are you and your children living like Jesus? Start today by teaching them to reject the world, avoid sin, and endure in their faith, knowing that this will transform their lives and their communities.

Jesus Focused Children’s Ministry

Meeting Jesus

Summary

As a Christian parent, teacher, or children’s ministry worker, it’s essential to focus on children’s spiritual well-being and help them live like Jesus. To achieve this, children must learn to think and act like Christ, which requires that they reject worldly influences, avoid sin, and develop endurance in their faith. This process involves teaching children about sin, helping them confess it, and showing them how to live righteously while preparing them for potential criticism and persecution. If children embrace living like Jesus, it could transform homes, schools, churches, and communities.

FAQ 1. What does it mean to help children live like Jesus?

Helping children live like Jesus means teaching them to think, speak, and act according to Christ’s example and God’s Word. Christian parents and ministry leaders can do this by encouraging children to reject worldly values, turn away from sin, and faithfully follow Jesus in everyday life. Spiritual growth happens as children learn to love God and obey Him through the power of the Holy Spirit.

FAQ 2. How can Christian parents teach their children to follow Jesus?

Christian parents can teach their children to follow Jesus by modelling authentic faith, reading the Bible together, praying regularly, discussing biblical truth in everyday situations, and encouraging obedience to God’s commands. As children mature, parents can help them identify sinful influences, develop Christlike character, and persevere through challenges with confidence in God.

FAQ 3. What is the biblical goal of children’s discipleship?

The biblical goal of children’s discipleship is to help children become lifelong followers of Jesus who think and act like Him (Philippians 2:5). Rather than simply teaching Bible knowledge, discipleship aims to transform a child’s heart, mind, and behaviour so they increasingly reflect Christ in their relationships, decisions, and daily lives.

2 Corinthians 4:5