Part 4: Teaching Our Children About: The Love of Self | FUN Ways to Teach Kids to Love Themselves
Teaching Our Children About: The Love of Self
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Psalms 139:13-15
AND...
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
THEREFORE...
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. Matthew 22:37-38
Sometimes as a parent you have moments where you think, “How much more of myself can I give?” It’s not that you want to withhold something good, but you just feel like you have nothing less. If only you can have one week, one day, dare I say one hour of quiet, uninterrupted thought, then you would be able to function, to be at the top of your game. Perhaps even love better.
The idea of love has somehow been perverted to the concept that it comes out of one’s self. As though we can conjure it up in greater quantity if given the right amount of space and time. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that we don’t need space and time to reflect and rejuvenate. What I am saying is rejuvenation or reflection is fatally flawed if we are looking inward for fulfillment. When we parent it is not of ourselves that we want to give. But rather we want to give and example of who God is. He continuously pours into us as we pour out to our children and others.
Too easily the inward focus turns into pride or self loathing. We begin to think, I am better than this, I deserve more, or I don’t deserve any of this, I am a fraud. Why, because there is nothing good in us except what God has given. We, as created beings, rely solely on God and it is from him which true love flows. God is love. What a powerful lesson to teach our children. To love yourself, is to love God first. Only He can show you your worth because he is the one who made you, died for you, went to prepare a home for you and is coming back to get you. The love of self is the love of God and for God.
Here are 3 ways to teach your children about how to view themselves in a loving way:
Teach them Bible verses that specifically address body image. This will combat the rampant issue of poor self image plaguing our youth today. Some texts include 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Psalms 139:13-15.
Engage in service of others. Find volunteer opportunities. 1 Corinthians 3.9 says “For we are God's co-workers…”. If we are engaged in God’s work then focus will be on him and the work he is doing through us.
Develop a healthy lifestyle. Teaching children how to take care of their bodies through healthy diet and activity is less important than teaching them the need for spiritual care. Our bodies are God’s temple and that is both a spiritual and physical truth.
Download our FREE Kids Bible Activity to teach your kids how to show self-love by serving others!
How do you teach your children to love themselves? Please share in the comments below!
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