Scrolling through Facebook late one night, I came across a post by Sally Clarkson. I’d never heard of her, but the quote she had posted resonated with me. I went to her website, and 10 minutes later, I was ordering every book of hers from the library.
I borrowed a digital copy of The Lifegiving Parent by Clay & Sally Clarkson and read the first chapter before going to bed. The premise of the book is “discover how you can become a parent who gives your child a life worth living for Christ,” and I found the book right when I was longing for guidance in parenting.
So far, my daughter and I have implemented making a plan each week for our spiritual growth. At breakfast on Mondays, I get out some paper and markers. While my daughter “writes” her plan by filing up the page with strokes of the markers, I write down the following for each of us:
- Memory verse
- Bible readings for the week
- When she will pray
We also add a skill for personal development.
This is my daughter’s plan for the week:
- “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” -Psalm 139:14
- The Jesus Storybook Bible (one story a day)
- Pray at dinner
- Declutter and organize toys
My plan has my church’s memory verse of the week, one chapter for each book of the Bible I’m reading right now, and how I want to implement prayer in my life during the week.
I’ve enjoyed setting up a framework we can follow for spiritual growth, and I’m looking forward to seeing it develop over the years.
How is your family growing in Christ? What strategies do you use?
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