Proverbs 22:6 NKJV
"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it."

As I watch my eldest son step into his senior year of high school, I find myself reflecting deeply on whether I've equipped him with everything he needs to uphold the foundation of Christ in his life. Have I modeled a life that embodies Christ in a way that will inspire him to continue following Jesus as Lord when he's out on his own? As mothers, we naturally take on many roles, and one of the most important, often unspoken, is that of a teacher.

Proverbs 22:6 isn't just a suggestion—it's a strategy for raising our children in the faith. Most children initially adopt the beliefs and practices of their families, but the real test comes when they're on their own and must decide for themselves whether to continue on that path. With just one year left before my 17-year-old heads out into the world, I'm taking a hard look at how well I've prepared him spiritually. While I've made sure he knows the practical things like cooking, cleaning, and managing finances, I'm asking myself: what more does he need to know spiritually?

It was a relief when, at six years old, my son chose to give his life to Christ and be baptized. That decision was based on what he had been taught and believed to be true. More recently, last summer, he attended a church youth camp for the first time and returned with a powerful testimony: he had encountered the Lord and received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Hearing him say, "Sending us to church camp was the best thing you could have ever done," warmed my heart. Not only is my son building his own relationship with Jesus, but he also recognizes the investment we've made in his spiritual life. Beautiful Mama, know that your children see and appreciate all that you do, even if they don't express it regularly.

Last month, during family prayer, we were sitting together, praying in the Spirit, and practicing silence in God's presence when I heard the Holy Spirit say, "Teach them how to fast." I shared this with my husband and sons, and to my surprise, my eldest son responded with, "That's confirmation, Mom. I've been thinking about fasting. When you asked what I still needed to learn before leaving for college, I kept thinking about fasting." Wow. There was no denying what God wanted us to do next (2 Corinthians 13:1). We decided to embark on a three-day fast the following week.

​For our fast, we committed to 12 hours each day, drinking only water and having one meal in the evening. Both of my sons mentioned that they had never felt so hungry before, and I reminded them that fasting involves feeding your spirit through the Word of God and prayer—communing with the Holy Spirit. I explained that it takes time for the body to adjust to the absence of food and that during moments of hunger, it's crucial to press into prayer, worship, and scripture. We also followed a three-day Bible reading plan on fasting, which included a devotional, scripture readings, and discussions each day, culminating in prayer. For our next fast, we plan to explore the different types of fasting found in the Bible.

Beautiful Mama, we are our children's first teachers in everything they learn. We teach them through both our words and our actions because they are always watching. While we may not always get it right, and some lessons will come through trial and error, what we can offer them is a solid foundation on which to build their faith. It's never too late to sit down with your child and teach them a spiritual discipline or a Christian principle. A good way to start is by asking the Lord what they need to know and even asking your child if they have any questions about their faith. Answer to the best of your ability using relevant scriptures or consult your spiritual leaders if you need guidance. Be intentional about the foundation you lay, and even if your children are already grown, it's never too late to bring them back and begin to rebuild through prayer and conversation. You've got this!

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