Strengthening Children’s IdentitySample

Our children might be wrestling with the reality of going back to school. I don’t want to go back to school. Why do I need to go to school? Can I be homeschooled or can I go to a corporate school? These questions and statements might be ringing in your household. As parents, we can collectively use this moment to strengthen their identity in Christ. Teaching them, even if they don’t feel giddy about going back to school, this is an opportunity to be giddy about shining bright for Jesus.

One of our purposes is to shine bright for Jesus. Ephesians 5:8 says: “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Have you heard the song, “Lights Shine Bright” by Toby Mac? Lead your children to understand as a believer in Jesus Christ they are called to shine bright everywhere they go for Jesus Christ. To live as children of the light! It is part of their identity - it is who they are.

When the lights go out from a storm, what is the first item we all go rushing to find? A flashlight! When we click the flashlight to the “on” position a beam of light shines into the room of darkness which visually gravitates our eyes to the light. You see, our children have the privilege to be the light when the world around us is dark. They have an opportunity to turn “on” their light and pierce the darkness everywhere they go - including school; drawing others to Jesus.

Teachers and children need to experience the light of Jesus. Our children, as believers in Christ, carry Jesus into their school building; they carry Jesus into their home; they carry him everywhere they go; they are literally a walking light. Moses walked down the mountain after spending time with God. His face was visibly shining after Moses had connected with God. It is key for our children to connect with God frequently to grow and shine for him. A theme song for our children this year could be: “Everywhere I go, I will shine bright. I will shine bright for Jesus, because… that is who I am!”

Bring this concept to life for your children by engaging as a family in the following activity:

Give each family member a flashlight and turn the lights out in the house. Have everyone turn on their flashlights and dance to the song, “Lights Shine Bright” by Toby Mac and have each person shout this declaration - “I will shine bright for Jesus everywhere I go!”

This is who they are, Jesus carriers! Shining bright in their identity!

One example of a guide to create an atmosphere for children to connect with Jesus daily to shine more brightly:

A. Read The Bible.

B. Morning Prayer:

1. Declare 3 things over yourself in the mirror!
2. Pray into your family Bible verse for the week. (You can toss a ball in the air while you are praying)
3. Pray for something specific to grow in you. (You can squeeze PlayDoh while you are praying)
4. Journal - Sit and ask God to show you a picture for yourself. What is He showing you, then pray the meaning over yourself.

C. Evening Prayer:

1. Journal 3 things you are thankful to God for.
2. Review what you learned for the day from your Bible reading.
3. Review your family weekly Bible verse.
4. Repent for Sins and ask God to give you his perceptive.

Activity Video