How To Teach Your Child to Stand Strong in the Faith

The main reason that children have issues in school is that of peer pressure. Although they may hear about the words “peer pressure,” they do not know what it looks like or feels like. You can teach your child these things so that they can recognize it and fight it.

Quick Tips:

When your child is tempted to do something bad (e.g. lie, deceive, take the cookie…), describe to them what occurred. It was a temptation. They were tempted to make a sneaky choice they knew was wrong.

If you see your child or their friend use the words “prove it” or “I dare you,” this is a perfect example of what the devil did to Jesus. Quite often, this is how peer pressure works. Therefore, you can point out these scenarios and create a teachable moment so your child can recognize when they are being tempted.

Some people think half-truths are the truth, but this is what God calls deceit. It is when a person tells you the truth but leaves out certain incriminating facts. Train your children to understand this type of temptation.

Other ways to avoid temptation are to teach the word of God to your child. That way, when they hear a lie, they can speak the truth.

Also, you can work to cultivate a loving environment for communication and support to hear their concerns in life.

Sometimes, we experience peer pressure from our own friends and family about “fitting in.” Here are some examples of the peer pressure I experienced as I began training my daughter in head covering.

Concerned Christian:

“Maybe you should let her go without the headcovering because kids might make fun of her.”

My Response:

(First, several thoughts entered my head…)

“Are you for the doctrine? Or against it?”

“Am I supposed to teach my daughter to share the reasons behind head covering or hide it?”

“Am I supposed to teach my daughter responses to persecution or how to blend in?”

And finally…

“Persecution by other Christian children ought to be corrected.”

My daughter is homeschooled and attends groups with Christian children so she does not attend a public school.

Concerned Christian:

“Well, you did say that you don’t have to wear it.”

My response:

“Yes, but the Apostle Paul was not saying “ignore teaching it when it’s convenient. He was letting us know that Christianity does not force head covering, but it is highly recommended. If everyone takes the stance, “It’s not important,” you end up with what we have in Christianity today; thousands of Christian women who ignore it and forget it. Is that what Paul was encouraging? I think not.”

This scenario is a perfect example of how Christians can talk themselves right out of standing for the doctrine. It’s inconvenient. It’s too different. It causes problems. Ultimately, Jesus told us we would be persecuted and to “count the cost.”

[19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. [20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also. [21] But all these things will they do unto you for My name’s sake, because they know not Him that sent Me. [22] If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. [23] He that hateth Me hateth my Father also. ~John 15:19-23 KJV

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple. -Luke 14:33 KJV

Everyone wants to be liked. It is inside of us to want love from others. Unfortunately, children will do things to try to fit in with sinners. Try to teach your children to reject the sinner’s rejection. This means “Don’t try to prove that you can fit in because this is what the devil wants.” Fitting in is what the world strives for every day, but we strive to fit into God.

I’m sure that being rejected most of my life contributed to the fact that I really don’t care anymore how people see me — except for them to know I am serious about God. I do my best to raise my children that way and prepare them to always have an answer.

Being rejected will never cease, but teaching my children how to respond with facts and a godly mindset is my goal. I hope, if anything, I’ve encouraged somebody to see ungodly persecution in a new light and to take a stand.