Christian Family: Teaching Your Child To Make Godly Decisions

Decision-making is one of the most important abilities you can teach your child. However, regardless of what you teach your children verbally, they will likely emulate your approach to decision-making. Do you make godly decisions? Do you consult the Word of God? Do you ask, Will this decision glorify God?

If you have been rebellious against  God, your children will pick up on that. Samuel rebuked Saul and said, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.” (1 Samuel 15:23).   If you have a rebellious nature against laws, rules, and following instructions, your children will pick up on that. If you decide to skip church because of a conflict with a ball game, a fishing outing, or a picnic, your children will know what is most important to you.

If your child tells you that everybody is doing it, and you let them do it, regardless of spiritual standards, or if all the other children are dressing immodestly for an event, and you let them dress the same way, your child is learning how you make decisions.

If you accept a business promotion in another town and move without considering the spiritual consequences of that move – such as the availability of a good church and the spiritual influences (good or bad) in that community – you are teaching your child that godly principles are not imperative..

What am I saying? You can’t teach your children to make godly decisions if YOU don’t make godly decisions.

What are your standards of separation from the world? Would you compromise those standards if it would help your children become part of the “in” crowd? These issues (and many more) are decisions you need to make. How you make those decisions and what you decide will influence your children for decades to come.

So, if you have surrendered your will to God’s will, you are ready to teach your children.

Decisions are critical, and Bible characters demonstrated their willingness to make the right decisions.

Joseph chose to do right regardless of ill-treatment from his brothers. (Genesis 37-50)

Joshua decided, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”  (Joshua 24:15)

Elijah challenged the people, “How long halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD be God, follow him: (1 Kings 18:21) Make up your mind. Who do you follow? Who do you want your children to look up to?

Many Old and New Testament heroes of the faith made right choices, and God blessed them mightily. Consider Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, and the other apostles, as well as Paul.

A few Scriptural Guidelines:

Here are some scriptural guidelines to help parents and children make informed decisions. As you make decisions that you can share with your children, and as they have decisions to make, take them to the Scriptures. (I realize that some decisions must be made on the “spur of the moment,” but a Christian needs to walk in fellowship with the Lord so he can have God’s leadership even in the quick decisions.)  You may have a major family decision to make that you can share with your children. Tell them about it. Pray together with them about it. Let them ask questions and give comments. It will be a great learning experience.

1. You must be a born-again Christian. (John 3:3,5,7)
2. You must genuinely want God’s will. “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. (Psalm 40:8) There is the desire for God’s will and the prerequisite of knowing the Word of God.
3. Before you make your decision, surrender your will to Him. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2).
4. Search The Word for anything specific about your decision. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) You will need to help your child with this step. If the Bible does not discuss your particular situation, look for general Biblical principles that apply.
5. Pray about the decision. “Show me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. (Psalm 25:4-5)
6. Guard against selfish decisions. “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” (Romans 13:14).
7. Will my decision and subsequent action glorify the Lord? “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

There are books written about this subject, but I hope these brief guidelines will be beneficial to you as you and your children make decisions.