We should all be familiar with the story of Jesus asking Peter three times if he truly loved him. Coming on the heels of Peter’s thrice denial of Jesus, this must have been an especially poignant and memorable lesson for him from Jesus. Each time Peter responds, Jesus tells Peter (using slightly different wording each time) to feed his lambs and to take care of his sheep. In effect, Jesus was preparing Peter for his role in leading and being a pastor to the early church and telling Peter that one of the best ways that Peter could show his love to Jesus was to take care of the flock of God and all of those believers who would come behind him.
While this charge was given to Peter specifically it still has relevance to us today and is still critically important, especially inside our own homes. John Trent of Strong Families once asked several hundred churchgoing parents the following questions and their answers reveal some surprising truths.
- Do you think it is important to pass down your faith to your children? – Over 90% said yes, it is very important.
- Do you think your child will have a strong faith when he or she gets out of college? – Again, over 90% said yes.
- Outside of going to church, what are you doing intentionally to introduce and build a growing faith in your child? – Fewer than 30% were doing anything purposefully to grow their children’s faith during the 166 hours a week their children were at home.
Based on these findings it would seem that we acknowledge the importance of introducing our kids to the Lord but often fail to properly care for, enrich and nourish their faith as they grow up in our homes. I don’t think I have to tell you how disastrous this is and that we are missing the most vital of opportunities to feed those lambs who are the closest to us.
A true Christian home has to be more than just a place where church is a twice or thrice weekly event. A true Christian home must have God at the center and as the focus and power-source for that family. Our kids need daily and weekly reminders from us (both verbal and non-verbal) that Jesus is Lord of our lives and that he is loved and adored in our homes. There are many age-appropriate ways to talk to our kids about Jesus and about our faith (and here’s a great resource written from a mother’s point of view – https://thehumbledhomemaker.com/introduce-a-child-to-jesus/ ) but the most important thing is that we are intentional and consistent about doing it.
God has given us the greatest gift of all, his love, and it is up to us to share it and to be a shepherd to those around us who are babes in Christ. The best place to start with this is in our own homes and by doing so we can create a strong foundation of faith that will serve our families well in the years to come. I pray that we would all take very seriously our Lord’s command to feed his sheep and to take care of his flock.