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A professor of mine once said, “What you study determines how you study it.”
The statement makes good sense. After all, you wouldn’t observe the stars using a microscope, and you wouldn’t analyze a cell using a telescope. The nature of the subject being studied determines the approach one takes to understanding and appreciating it.
This is especially true in our personal study of God and our relationship with Him.
God’s nature—who God is and what He does—determines how we love, live and learn about Him. As the holy Creator of all things, He initiates how we commune with Him and establishes the standard for how we’re to live for Him.
This makes good sense. It’s how life is supposed to operate.
However, when summer hits and the activities of the season start rolling in, this idea can quietly get flipped on its head. We can begin to let the season, rather than the nature of our God, dictate what discipleship looks like in our homes.
Events, commitments, vacations, camps, tournaments and travel can alter our schedules and begin setting the pace for how we love God, live with Him and learn about Him. As the margins in our lives decrease during summer, so can the time our families spend intentionally pursuing God.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Because we serve an all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present God, we have the framework and resources we need as Christian parents to disciple our children faithfully, even in the chaos of summer.
As you prepare to send your kids to camp, drive to the next ball game, or pack for a family vacation, here are three ways remembering God’s nature can help you form your children into His likeness this season.
Omnipresent: The Infinite God and Limitless Discipleship
God is omnipresent, which means He is always fully present in all places. There is nowhere we can go where God is not there (Psalm 139:7-9).
Understanding this truth gives us incredible hope and insight for how we disciple our kids. Since God’s presence isn’t limited to a specific time or place, neither are the moments of faith formation our families can have in Him.
This means you can point your child to Christ on the way to the big game or have a meaningful conversation about the Gospel on the drive to the beach.
In fact, this “as-you-go” model of spiritual development is exactly what God prescribes in passages like Deuteronomy 6:6-9. God commanded Israel to diligently teach His commandments to their children. How were they to do this? By talking about them throughout the rhythms of everyday life (when they sat down, walked along the road, lay down at night, rose in the morning, etc.).
Since God was with them wherever they went, they were to speak of Him in a similar manner. The omnipresent God determines how He is to be taught: in all places always. His truth isn’t confined to a church service or church building.
So how can you point your family to the ever-present God this summer? Sometimes it’s as simple as asking thoughtful questions to your kids.
As you’re coming home from a long day, ask, “Where did you see God today?”
As you’re sitting by the pool eating snacks, ask, “If Jesus were sitting with us right now, what would you ask Him?”
As you pick up your preteen from camp, ask, “What did God teach you this week?”
Simple moments of Christ-centered conversation have a way of reframing ordinary experiences by highlighting the infinite God who is with us wherever we are.
Omniscient: Knowing the One Who Knows All Things
God is omniscient, meaning He knows all things truly and fully. Nothing escapes His understanding. Nothing surprises Him, and nothing confuses Him (Psalm 147:5).
That’s why some theologians define truth as “seeing things as God sees them.” In a world filled with misinformation, conspiracy theories and endless opinions, knowing Someone who truly knows all things is deeply comforting. If we want our kids to have discernment in an age of growing confusion and suspicion, then we must help them know the God who knows all things.
How do they do that?
Again, the One being studied determines how He is to be known. God has made it clear that we know Him best through His Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). This is why Bible engagement and biblical literacy should be of utmost importance in our homes. There is no substitute for reading, memorizing and understanding Scripture.
Church programming may look different during the summer months, but that doesn’t mean our intake of God’s Word at home should cease during this season. Our schedules may be full, but they are never too full to meet with God through Scripture.
So how can your family engage God’s Word this summer? Through intentionality and consistency.
Be intentional about when and how your family engages Scripture together. Maybe that happens over breakfast with a short passage and a few discussion questions. Maybe it’s during bedtime routines or along the drive to a tournament or family vacation. Wherever it takes place, the goal isn’t a perfect execution but consistent engagement around God’s Word throughout the summer.
If you’re unsure where to start, there are many accessible and biblically rich resources designed for families. The Gospel Changes Everything Family Devotional Cards by Tiny Theologians are a great example. Each card includes a short Scripture reading, a simple explanation, discussion questions and a prayer prompt.
In addition to reading Scripture together, you can also weave Scripture memorization throughout your day with music. Resources such as Seeds Kids Worship and Doorpost Kids Worship can help fill your home and car rides with God’s Word.
However your family chooses to engage Scripture, do it consistently and intentionally as you seek to know the One who knows all things.
Omnipotent: Always Praying to the All-Powerful God
God is omnipotent, which means He is all-powerful and completely sovereign over all things (Psalm 115:3).
To be in relationship with a being of this magnitude is unfathomable. Even more astounding is that He invites us to pray to Him.
When we recognize the unmatched power and authority of our God, it changes how we speak to Him. Since God is sovereign over all things, we should bring all things to Him in prayer (Philippians 4:6-7).
We can thank Him for the food He provides at meals. We can ask Him for safety and strength before a sports tournament. We can intercede for the salvation of others. We can confess sins committed against friends or siblings. We can ask for help to love our neighbors well. And we can praise Him for His undeserved grace in our lives.
Because God’s power isn’t confined to a specific place or time, neither are our prayers. Scripture presents prayer more as a lifestyle than an event. We can talk to God with our families throughout every segment of our day (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
If you’re ever unsure what to pray for, simply take the things you are already experiencing to the Lord. Prayer can become an ongoing conversation with God about your day. Praying this way teaches your kids that nothing is possible apart from God and that every part of life should be viewed through His sovereign hand.
Beyond praying about what you see and experience, you can also praise God for who He is and what He’s done. One simple framework that has helped many people pray intentionally is the acronym PRAY:
- P — Praise God for His nature and works.
- R — Repent of sin and ask for forgiveness.
- A — Ask for help, guidance and needs.
- Y — Yield your will and plans to God in daily surrender.
Letting God Set the Pace
God’s nature and character should shape the pace and pattern of our spiritual habits. Seasons come and go, but our King remains steadfast. He never changes, even when our schedules do.
That means discipleship shouldn’t pause for the summer. With God’s grace, we can faithfully form our children into His likeness in the middle of ordinary moments, busy schedules and changing routines.
The One we worship determines how He is to be worshiped. Since He is all-powerful, all-knowing and ever-present, we can disciple our families to know and worship Him anywhere at any time … including the busy days of summer.
