Read: Proverbs 24:3, Deuteronomy 6:7-8

Think: We had an agreement as our children were growing up that all the musical instruments should be left out in the house, not kept in their cases hidden in closets and under beds. The idea was that open opportunities improved chances that someone would pick up the instrument and play it and by playing incorporate it into their lives. When Pastor Ben was teaching us about Raising Spiritual Champions this past weekend this agreement came to mind.

We kept the Bibles out too, retelling of our testimonies was common dinner talk and through the hard times in our lives we called on the Lord together. I think providing opportunity was a guiding thought in our household. We brought our children to church with us every weekend of their lives and provided opportunity for them to find their friends there and develop their talents and abilities. Against most church “wisdom” our children played in our worship band when they were 8 years old.

We have worked to make sure that the separation of “church and state” is very narrow. Spiritual champions blend their faith life and day-to-day life; they “talk about their faith when they sit at home and when they walk along the road…” Deut 6:7-8. And raising spiritual champions starts by offering them the opportunities and model of how to do that.

Do: List the ways you can incorporate faith and family life. Make a commitment to go to church with your family every week for 6 months, bring up faith topics at dinner every night for a week, talk about your own struggles with faith over the years and how God has taken care of you in the midst of them.

Pray:  Father, give me the wisdom and opportunities to live my life in you in an intentional, informal and inspirational way in front of my children and family that they will grow in You and in their faith. Amen