Christian life principles are top-of-mind for most parents and Sunday school teachers. These nuggets of advice aren’t just for kids, though. Keep reading for key faith reminders, no matter the age!
I tell my kids things all of the time. Over and over. And over and over. If there’s one thing I can say is always true about parenting, it’s that I repeat myself constantly.
If there’s one thing I can say is always true about parenting, it’s that I repeat myself constantly. It never, ever sticks the first time.
Being from the South, our family values manners. We teach our kids to say, “Yes, m’am” and “No, sir” as a way of respecting adults. I’m constantly reminding them to speak with respect. I say it so often that in a meeting just the other day, I instinctively began telling a coworker, “Did you mean to say, “Yes, sir” there?”
As I’ve said these words to my kids so many times, I’ve also found that they work for my own heart. In so many situations, I’ve seen that I need to follow the Christian life principles I give my children.
9 Christian Life Principles for All Ages
Here are some principles that my wife and I work to drive home with our kids. As you’ll notice, they translate incredibly well to adults, too.
1. You don’t have to like what I say, but you need to speak kindly.
Oh, how this would change the tone of a disagreement.
“Love is patient and kind…” —Paul, 1 Corinthians 13:4
2. You did the right thing, but you did it with the wrong attitude.
The Bible talks about this one.
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” —Paul, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
3. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
All ideas are not good ideas. If anyone has told you that, they were lying. Adulthood gives us more freedom…which isn’t always a good thing. Tons of options are within your capability of going after…but don’t just chase something because you can. Maturity exercises restraint.
“All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.” —Paul, 1 Corinthians 10:23
4. We all help out around here. Even when it’s not our mess.
Teamwork makes the dream work. And if you want to endear yourself to someone, help them out with a mess they created.
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” —Paul, Philippians 2:4
5. Trust me because I love you. Not because you think what I’m saying is 100% true.
I know that some of the coaching I’ve given out to my peers isn’t believed because they think it’s true. But hopefully they trust what I’m saying because it’s coming from a heart of love.
