When our children turn to God as their Father and begin to rely on his working in and with them, and in their lives, they need to know that he’s trustworthy and faithful.

It’s impossible to trust someone when you know nothing of his or her character, concern for you, or ability to deliver. To trust someone means that you know, without even having to think about it, that because of his or her character and love for you, that person will always act with your best interests in mind. You know that the person in question is trustworthy. It also means having the confidence that the person you trust is not only able to do what you’re trusting him or her to do but will do it – because that person is faithful.

Our children, then need to know that God loves them and is trustworthy; they can trust him with their lives, knowing that his way is the best way and will make their lives work better. They also need to know that he’s faithful; they can put their faith in him and rely on him, day by day, to do what he says he’ll do for them as their Father: care for them, provide for them, teach them, direct and encourage them, help them to grow, and so forth.

What the Lord says is right and true. He is faithful in everything he does. (Psalm 33:4)

The Lord is faithful and will keep all his promises. He is loving toward everything he has made. (Psalm 145:13)

Let us hold firmly to the hope we claim to have. The One who promised in faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)

He is faithful and right in everything he does. All his rules can be trusted. (Psalm 111:7)

Lord, those who know you will trust in you. You have never deserted those who look to you. (Psalm 9:10)

May the God who gives hope fill you with great joy. May you have perfect peace as you trust in him. May the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope. (Romans 15:13)

Our children also need to be trustworthy and faithful themselves. These two characteristics are foundational for establishing relationships and making them grow. Trustworthiness and faithfulness are necessary if your children are going to be successful in relationships with friends and family, in marriage, and in their careers and communities. If people can trust them to do what’s best for others and can put their faith in their ability to perform and to keep their word, they’ll prosper in their relationships. And since good relationships are the key to success in every area of human existence, they’ll succeed in life. Furthermore, if they’re trustworthy and faithful in their relationship with God, God will be able to trust them with more responsibilities and blessings in this life. Life works when we’re faithful and trustworthy.

Don’t let love and truth ever leave you. Tie them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and a good name in the eyes of God and people. (Proverbs 3:3-4)

Lord, to those who are faithful you show that you are faithful. To those who are without blame you show that you are without blame. (Psalm 18:25)

Friends love at all times. They are there to help when trouble comes. (Proverbs 17:17)

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. (Luke 16:10, NIV)

Your can see now why correctly teaching our children about God’s character is vital if we want them to have a successful life!

(RICK OSBORNE / Christian Author, Speaker & Bible Teacher)

I’ve already talked a lot about learning, growing, responsibility, and other serious things. Although our kids’ spiritual life isn’t something we should take lightly, we can get so wrapped up in the seriousness of it all that we end up painting God as a sour-faced old schoolmarm who demands that we get serious, sit quietly, and do only what we’re told to do. That’s why this first aspect of God’s character is so critically important and why I put if first.

God invented:

• beauty
• joy
• happiness
• humor
• laughter
• applause
• sunshine
• entertainment
• fun
• health
• nature
• sports
• love
• friendship
• families
• conversation
• art
• drama
• music
• food
• animals
• and even hugs

It’s important that we talk about God in relation to the good things in life, that we talk about him during the good times and not just when we need to lecture about right and wrong or struggle with someone’s death or sickness or explain why some disaster took place. Our children would quickly get tired of our company if all we did was teach and correct, even if we did it gently. They’d also want to be somewhere else, anywhere else, if we were always mad, upset, or negative.

It’s the same with God. We can’t get away with talking about God only in dour terms and in dour times and still expect our children to be excited about developing a relationship with him. Instead, we should focus on seeing him as the inventor behind life’s joys, the one who’s throwing the party, not the one who’s scolding everyone and sending them home. “God…richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).

God is there with us and for us, and he gives us all the good things listed above to enjoy – and a whole lot of others that aren’t mentioned.

(RICK OSBORNE / Christian Author, Speaker & Bible Teacher)