10 Must-Have Tools to Raise Your Child to Have Unwavering Faith

It is a difficult time for Christian families.

With all the violence and terror; not to mention the negative influences that threaten to undermine our values—Common Core, sex education, the homosexual agenda.

And yet, throughout history, there has never been an ideal time for the truly Christian family.

Looking back on the lives of heroes of the faith, and borrowing counsel from great men and women of God, we can work faithfully and successfully at building a strong foundation so that the next generation is solid and prepared to stand alone in a world of chaos.

Here Are 10 Resources for Every Christian Family

1. Christian Heroes Then and Now

With 42 books in all, this series is a comprehensive gallery of the Hall of Faith, telling the stories of those such as Amy Carmichael, Eric Liddel, Corrie ten Boom, David Livingston and even those you’ve maybe never heard of before. These stories encourage, inspire and give your children true heroes to look up to.

2. Prayer Journal

A wonderful practice as a family is to keep track of prayer requests and when they were answered. This helps to build a tangible sense of God and the power of prayer as you look back on how many times He answered both big and small needs for your family and friends.

3. Shepherding a Child’s Heart

This best-selling book by Tedd Tripp instructs parents on the importance of discipline, not to just shape behavior but shape the heart. He wisely shows the value of teaching your child to look at the root of their sin and how that sin offends God, so that their heart is shaped and molded, laying a strong foundation for a durable spiritual structure.

4. The Dr. James Dobson Parenting Collection

This comprehensive volume isn’t expensive but spans three of his best-selling books: The New Dare to Discipline, The New Strong-Willed Child and Parenting isn’t for Cowards. Dr. Dobson is arguably one of the greatest Christian voices with regard to parenting, expertly mingling psychology and Scripture without allowing psychology to redefine scriptural truth.

5. What’s in the Bible

The creator of Veggie Tales has a new series. In this comprehensive series on what the Bible teaches, following the stories of the Old and New Testaments.

6. Character Sketches

This 3-volume set compares character traits with nature and teaches us through nature the value of godly character in our lives and how we should display that good character.

7. The Power of a Praying Parent

This is just one in a multi-volume set of books on prayer by Stormie Omartian. In this book for parents, she teaches the value of prayer, how we can pray for our children, what verses to pray over them and how the power of prayer can shield and protect them.

8. Scripture Memory Game

With this fun game, your children will learn how to hide God’s Word in their hearts. What better way to learn than through a family fun night?

9. Hillsongs Worship Collection + Hillsongs for Kids Worship Collection

Fill your home with worship. These two worship CDs are a wonderful collection of some of Hillsong’s most popular worship songs.

10. Children’s Bible Trivia

Learn facts from the Bible—even obscure facts that you may have missed—with this fun game of Bible trivia.

These resources are merely tools; nothing can replace visible and authentic Christian families, living out their faith for their children to see. Let the world see you pray, read the Word, memorize the Word and make the hard choices together that even mean sacrifice on your part—yes, and even fail sometimes. {eoa}

F. Dean Hackett has served in full time Christian ministry since October 1971. He has ministered throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, serving as pastor, conference speaker and mentor. He has planted four churches, assisted in planting 15 others, and currently serves as lead pastor of Living Faith Church in Hermiston, Oregon. Dean has been married forty-five years to his wife, Wanda. They have three children serving in full-time Christian ministry. Their two daughters are missionaries in Croatia and their son is planting a church in Portland, Oregon. They have nine grandchildren. Dr. Dean is known for training many leaders who are presently in full time ministry around the world. He has completed a master’s in ministry, a master’s of theology and a Ph.D. in practical theology with an emphasis in marriage and family counseling. His enthusiastic and challenging ministry has made him a popular teacher and conference speaker. He has written eight books and is presently writing the third book in a trilogy Freedom Series. Dr. Hackett founded Spirit Life Ministries International in 2001 to facilitate ministries in Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina and to open a training center for workers in those nations. You can find him at F. Dean Hackett – Foundational, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest