For many of us, and it’s certainly true for me, the core of who we are today is built on the principles and values we learned in childhood. Those principles shape our lives, our relationships, and our relationship to the world. To get a clear sense of the difference between principle and values, I found this 1984 New York Times Magazine article. In it, the late William Safire wrote a piece on principles versus values. He explained that principle means “source, origin, beginning...a primary truth that formed the basis of other beliefs.” Values, which is rooted in the Latin word for “strength,” are relative, not universal. There are values that change from one generation to the next. A reflection on the life of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg of the Supreme Court of the United States has amplified how the values held in the 1970s differ from those of 2020. Thus, values can change, but principles do not.

In the Bible, the Book of Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” A more modern version states, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

As a Christian, my principles and values are rooted in biblical scriptures. We derive those principles from the 10 Commandments, the Gospels, Proverbs, and several other passages of the Bible. These passages provide us the foundation—the source—to live and raise the next generation based on the Christian principles of love, humility, kindness, generosity, self-discipline, and forgiveness, just to name a few.     

As adults raising the next generation, I believe many of us would agree that there is no singular way to ‘raising kids right.’ You can teach and care for them, pray for them, and if you are lucky enough, be surrounded by a village of aunties, uncles, cousins, grandparents, godparents, and friends who can support and reinforce your teachings.

 Below are a few suggestions on how and what you might do to foster Christian principle and values in children.

Laying Foundations Early

It is great to lay the foundation in the early, formative years – let’s say under the age of six. Children are like sponges—they soak up and emulate what they see, hear, and experience from a young age. How many times have you done a ‘double take’ as a response to what a young child said, wondering where they heard or learned “that” from? Let’s not underestimate how much they can learn—by watching and doing!

Questions to Consider

Do you and your kids tithe together?

Do you love on a neighbor together?

 Do you reason out a decision together?

 Do you explain why you are engaging in whatever it is you are doing?

Our behaviors are learned by them being ingrained in us. In the same way that most children learn to clean up after play time from a young age, teaching Christian principles and values from a young age is critically important to setting a firm foundation.

For many kids, whatever is taught to them at a young age, and reinforced as they grow older, becomes a part of their DNA, so to speak. Young children are open and agreeable to any and all ideas, albeit with plenty of questions you’ll have to answer.

Make your Home a Centre of Learning

Starting from those early years, it helps to make your home a center of learning, in fun ways, and have everything you do reinforce those biblical principles. By center of learning, I mean having those principles continuously guide everyday decisions, processes, and operations at home. This way, it becomes second nature, with illustrative occasions optimized as teaching moments. Memory verses, family prayer, and even better, home bible study time is vital to building a foundation upon which they will grow to understanding their place in this world as a Christian.

Incorporate Language into Children Spiritual Life

For bi- or multilingual speakers, it is an immeasurable gift to teach your child the Word or to pray in another language. Languages have different ways of nuancing phrases or words and helping us understand what it means to be Christ-like. When you compare Bible passages or the character of God in different languages, it adds a richness to the learning and understanding and is a gift that will keep on giving throughout their lifetime.

Writer: Sade Owolabi is passionate about working with children and youth. She has learnt to balance passion with intermittent breaks to recharge her inner battery.