By Pastor Barbara Perdue

When our three boys were growing up, Lawson and I wanted them to know something that would stay with them for the rest of their lives. We wanted them to know the truth about God and how much He loved them!

We believed that teaching our children God’s Word would empower them to succeed in every area of life. And one of the most important truths we could give them was simple: There is a God, and He loves you!

Children hear all kinds of messages about who they are and what they’re worth. As parents, we have the opportunity to fill their hearts with something they can depend on. That’s why empowering words for kids should begin with the truth of God’s unconditional love.

What Are Empowering Words for Kids?

Empowering words for kids are words that help children understand who God is, how He feels about them, and what His Word says about their lives.

When our boys were little, we reminded them every day that God loved them and that we loved them, too. We wanted that truth to become part of how they thought about themselves.

I’m talking about the wonderful, unconditional love of God, not religion or a list of laws they have to follow to earn His approval.

Psalm 23:6 says, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”

I especially love the way The Passion Translation describes God’s goodness and love pursuing us throughout our lives. Think about that! God’s love doesn’t stop when our children grow older or face something difficult. His love continues to pursue them.

How Do Words Shape a Child’s Confidence?

What children hear repeatedly can influence what they come to believe about themselves.

When you continually remind your children that God loves them, you’re giving them a truth they can carry into unfamiliar situations, difficult days, and new stages of life.

Psalm 40:5 tells us that God’s thoughts toward us are more numerous than we can count. What a wonderful thing for a child to understand! God thinks about them, cares for them, and loves them.

That’s the kind of confidence we wanted our boys to grow up with.

What Does the Bible Say About Encouraging Children?

The Bible gives us powerful truths to share with our children, especially about God’s goodness and His desire for them to experience life.

Jesus said in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Jesus also warned that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Our children need to understand that there is a difference between God’s goodness and the enemy’s destructive intentions.

When Aaron was just two years old, he would go around our neighborhood telling people, “God is good, the devil is bad.”

He was only a little boy, but he already knew an important truth! We had taught him something simple enough to remember and powerful enough to carry with him.

How Can I Teach My Child They Are Loved by God?

Start by telling them! Children need to hear that they are loved by God and by their parents.

You can also show them what the Bible says about God’s love. One of the first Scriptures I memorized as a child in Sunday School was John 3:16. Later, we taught it to our own children.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

I love that verse because it tells us how much God loves us. He gave His Son!

If you’re wondering how to teach children God loves them, make that truth part of your everyday conversations. Remind them of God’s goodness when they’re happy, when they’re worried, and when they need encouragement.

What Are Faith-Based Words of Encouragement for Kids?

You don’t need complicated words to encourage your children in their faith. Simple statements grounded in Scripture can help them remember what God has said.

Here are a few you can share with your children:

• God loves you! His love is unconditional.
• God is good! His goodness and mercy follow you.
• God thinks about you! His thoughts toward you are more than can be counted.
• Jesus came to give you abundant life! You can trust His goodness.
• You can stand strong in faith! God’s Word teaches you to resist the enemy.

These are truths you can repeat at home, on the way to school, or whenever your child needs reassurance.

What Scriptures Help Children Feel Loved and Protected?

Three passages from the Bible are especially meaningful when teaching children about God’s love and protection.

Psalm 23:6 reminds us that God’s goodness and mercy follow us throughout our lives.

Psalm 40:5 speaks of God’s countless thoughts toward us. Your children are never forgotten by Him!

1 Peter 5:8–9 teaches believers to be watchful and resist the devil, standing steadfast in faith.

I believe knowing the truth of God’s Word gives our children a wall of protection. When they recognize God’s goodness, they can learn to reject the lies that contradict His Word.

How Can We Raise Confident Christian Children?

If you want to know how to raise confident Christian children, begin by helping them become confident in God’s love.

Keep speaking the truth. Read Scripture together. Help them memorize verses they can remember as they grow. Most importantly, let them hear you talk about God’s goodness in your own life.

Our boys learned these truths through the words we spoke and the Scriptures we shared with them. That’s something every parent can begin doing.

Your children need to know that there is a God who loves them, thinks about them, and desires good for their lives. Don’t underestimate what those truths can mean to a child!

At Charis Christian Center, we want families to grow together in the truth of God’s Word. You’re invited to join us for worship and Bible-based teaching, where you and your children can continue discovering how much God loves you. Plan your visit to Charis Christian Center and come experience the encouragement of a church family.