October Devotions to Encourage Your Kids – October 1-15

Psalm 139:13-14

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Your child is a gift. They were given to you to cherish for the time being but ultimately your child belongs to the Lord. Encourage your child today that they were carefully made by a Creator who loves them and cares about them. This very fact deserves their praise. Encourage your child to give praise to God for the life they were given. For the color of their eyes, their strengths and even their weaknesses. All of these attributes are unique to them. Teach them to lift their voice and give praise to God for their life rather than dwelling on what they might have been handed in life that disappoints them.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Kids are often asked, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” By the time your child is ten, they have already wanted to be a firefighter, artist, farmer and astronaut. Now they just want to make it through the next school year! We do not know what the future holds for our child, but the Lord does. The best course of action for a God-fearing parent is to encourage your in the ways of the Lord. Teach them to be a hard worker and full of discipline. Tell them that they will be excellent parents and successful providers when they are older. Encourage them in the principles of the Word and they will know that they do indeed have an expected end, to serve the Lord all the days of their lives!

Luke 12:6

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

Children need to be reminded that they are an important member of the family, They are loved and they are needed. When we spend time with them, include them in the daily activities and even by assigning them chores to do around the house, we are showing them that they are an integral part. God has placed them in our family for a reason and we are thankful for that. I love this verse because it reminds us that if God remembers the sparrows, how much more will he remember us. Share with your child that God cares for even the animals but even more so, for us. We are eternal beings that can live forever with Him therefore, He will take care of us.

1 John 3:1

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.

Every child wants to be loved, to feel loved, When they know that they are loved, and belong to something greater than themselves, they find security. Hug your child today, encourage them and point out to them what you love and adore about them. Remind them that God, their Father loves them even more than you do and has great things in store for them in the future.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

One of the joys of childhood is that you are used to constant change. You haven’t been around long enough to be stuck to any sort of routine or pattern. So when you tell a child who has been struggling with lying that God can change that in them, they are likely to believe you and will want to change. Use this verse to encourage positive, Biblical change in your child’s life.

Ephesians 1:4

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.

Whether your child was a planned pregnancy or not, there are no accidents. Every child is precious and was created by God. Remind your child that they are a gift to your family and that God has chosen for them to live for God from before the foundation of the world.

Romans 5:8

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

When your child shows remorse for wrong, it is key to quickly forgive them. If they see how forgiveness works within their own family, it will be easier for them to grasp God’s forgiving power.

Luke 12:7

But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

When I was in middle school, I had a dear friend who was raised Hindu. I remember making the comment to her that God knows everything. He even knows what you are going to have for dinner next week. Her response was, “no…that’s impossible, my mother doesn’t even know what we are having next week.” Exactly. God know everything, past, present and future. It’s a hard concept for children to grasp but this verse will strike a sense of awe in your child that God does know everything, even the number of hairs on their head!

Isaiah 43:1

But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

When you go out and your child runs into an adult that you know, whether at church or the grocery store, and the adult addresses them by their name, haven’t you noticed their face light up? It makes them feel special, important, remembered. Sharing with your child that God knows their name can encourage them in their walk with Him.

1 Corinthians 6:20

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

We never want to see our child bring harm to themselves or others but when they are young, sometimes we do see some ugly behavior. Remind your child that their body is not their own, but through the death of the Lord Jesus, they have been bought with a price. This verse encourages them to treat their body, and others with respect.

1 John 4:9

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

God is a God of life. When our children seem to be in a down mood and only want to focus on the negative, it is important to remind them that He is a God of life. He wants them to live life to the fullest asking Him each and every day, “what can I do today for God?” Remind your child of the sacrifice Jesus made for them, encouraging them to focus not just on the eternal life they have received but the abundant life they can live here on earth, through Him.

Deuteronomy 26:18

And the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments.

When our children choose to live according to God’s Word rather than by the ways of this world, there will be conflict. Their peers might not understand why they do or do not do certain things. At first, your child might protest and complain, “but everybody else is doing it!” But as time goes on, and they continue to surrender their own will for God’s will. They will shine as God’s light and will truly be a peculiar people. They will no longer fear other people’s opinions but find joy in doing what is pure and right.

Genesis 1:17

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

We are created in the image of God. Every man, woman and child was created by Him. When our children are taught at a young age that they have been specially formed and created for a purpose greater than simply pleasing themselves, they will grow up looking outward, seeking how to be a blessing to others rather than just taking from the world and feeling empty in the process.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

When our children want to run away from what is right, we can gently remind them, with this verse,that God isn’t finished with them yet. God is working a good work in their little hearts which will be made beautiful in due time. Just as a seed doesn’t flourish into a fruit-bearing tree in one day, it takes time for God to do His work in His children.

John 1:12

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

Sometimes, when children are so full of guilt and shame they feel as though God could never forgive them, or change who they are. They feel like,”this is just who I am.” Use this verse to remind your child that God can in fact change us. Yes, we are born sinners but God has given us power to be His sons and to live for Him.