10 Biblical Affirmations for Kids of All Ages
Not long ago, our family endured a moment that reminded me of the importance of speaking biblical affirmations over our kids. Join us in the backyard, and we’ll talk about teaching our kids to stand on their identities in Christ.
Biblical Affirmations for Your Kids
I’m not thinking about developing my daughter’s identity in Christ when it happens.
It’s a balmy August evening, and rays of sinking sun shine white on the lawn as we finish dinner on the deck.
Darrell offers to take the kids to the yard while I clean up. In no time, the hose is squirting water into the sky, and rainbows dance over the grass. There are squeals of sheer joy and delight.
I hear it all through the open window while I scrub dishes at the kitchen sink.
Suddenly, a primal scream interrupts the joyful commotion outside. I’m taken back to the day Caleb, at nine months old, went off the deck in his walker. He tumbled down two steps and onto a concrete pad. He was fine. Bekah and I were both traumatized for weeks.
The screams indicate a crisis, so I drop the sponge and bolt out the screen door without bothering to close it behind me.
Outside, I find my family sitting on the wet grass.
Darrell is consoling little Caleb, and Bekah is quickly melting into her own small puddle of tears and hose water.
“She accidentally sprayed his face with the hose,” Darrell explains over the two wailing children.
I breathe a deep sigh of relief and sit on the ground with Bekah, scooping her into my lap. Her sensitive spirit, thoughtfulness, and compassion never cease to amaze me.
“It was an accident, babe. It’s okay,” I reassure her, wiping the tears from her soft cheeks.
Pushing Back Against Shame
“I hate myself! I’m the worst sister in the world! I’m terrible!” she retorts, and she begins hitting herself in the head.
She’s never acted this way.
After calming her, I look into her eyes and begin speaking Truth: She is a caring, thoughtful, wonderful sister. I tell her that no mistake will ever define her. I tell her that she’s wildly loved by her parents and the God who created her.
Later that night, I reflect on the evening’s events.
I’m reminded of the importance of teaching our kids about their identities.
The Importance of Biblical Affirmations for Kids
If they don’t grasp that they are passionately loved, just because they belong to Christ, they’ll define themselves by their talents, their gifts, their successes, and their failures.
All of these things are subject to change.
The only certainty in their lives is the certainty that they can never be separated from the love of Christ (Romans 8:38-39).
Knowing your identity in Christ means you understand that the ever-changing circumstances of your life do not define you.
Since that evening on the lawn, teaching our kids who they are in Christ has been a focus in this house. Here are 10 biblical affirmations to share with your children as well:
1. “You are defined by Christ’s love for you.”
The world tells us that we are defined by how we look, what we can accumulate, and how high we can climb on social and corporate ladders. The world tells us we’re defined by our natural talents. However, these things are all subject to change.
Our worth was sealed once and for all. God demonstrated his love for us in a lasting way: While we were not yet perfect, Christ died on a cross for us (Romans 5:8). Whether we feel loved or not, those who have received Christ as Savior are defined by the fact that he loves us wildly. He proved it at the cross.
2. “I love you just because you’re mine.”
We tend to believe that we’re more or less lovable depending on our actions.
When our kids see that we love them simply because they are ours, their hearts are better prepared to grasp the truth that God loves us, simply because we belong to him. We can do nothing to earn this love. It is freely given.
Biblical Affirmations for Moments of Failure
3. “Your mistakes don’t define you. This is where I messed up today, too.”
When we model humility and engage our kids in open dialogue about our mistakes, we set the stage to share even the biggest mistakes they will make in life.
The child who can share mistakes in a shame-free environment becomes an adult who doesn’t need to erect walls to hide shame or appear strong.
The person who knows that it’s okay to make mistakes walks in freedom from being defined by these mistakes.
The child who can share mistakes in a shame-free environment becomes an adult who doesn’t need to erect walls to hide shame or appear strong. #identityinChrist #Christianparenting #identity #shame Share on X4. “I am praying for you. Is there anything you want me to pray about?”
Asking our kids how we can pray for them opens the door to see where they’re at spiritually.
Ultimately, only the child who has received the forgiveness of Christ and trusted in him as Savior can find an identity in him.
Engaging our kids in spiritual conversations is important for speaking spiritual truth to them, wherever they happen to be on the journey of faith.
5. “I’m so proud of how hard you’re working on this.”
When we affirm the efforts of our kids, we free them from defining themselves by fixed attributes and natural talents.
The child who hears, “You’re so smart,” all his life is bound to tie his identity to this attribute. When he fails his first test, his identity will be greatly shaken.
Affirming hard work as well as natural talents creates balance in the lives of our children.
6. “Your gifts are such a blessing to the world.”
Reminding our kids that their natural talents are to be used to bless others shows them that the purpose of their gifts is not to define themselves by these areas of strength. We are blessed with talents for the purpose of blessing others.
Biblical Affirmations Straight from Scripture
7. “God cherishes you, and so do I.”
Zephaniah 3:17 teaches us that God delights in us, dances over us, and sings over us.
When we tell our kids that we delight in them, they experience the joy of being loved for who they are and not what they can do.
They need to know that God feels this way about them, too.
8. “God has a plan and a purpose for your life, and I can’t wait to watch him fulfill it.”
Ephesians 2:10 teaches us that God has good works prepared for us. Jeremiah 1:5 tells us that God knows us before he even forms us in the womb. Teach your kids that God has a plan for their lives, and keep encouraging them to walk in it.
Life-changing Truths About God’s Presence
9. “Wherever you go, remember God is with you.”
Reminding our kids that they can walk into a crowded cafeteria or new social situation with the assurance that they walk with the Lord plants their feet on solid ground.
It enables them to face the world with calm assurance, knowing they are embraced as children of the Most High God.
10. “You bring God so much joy, just as you are.”
God’s not waiting for us to improve our behavior or get over our habitual cycles of sin so that he can enjoy us. He enjoys us just as we are – imperfections and all. When we remind our kids that God loves them as they are, we set their feet on the unshakable Rock of Christ.
Brennan Manning wrote these words: “Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.”
Our kids need to know that above all else, God loves them radically. May we receive this truth for ourselves and impart it in their lives with tenderness and compassion.
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Calling all moms and daughters!
Additionally, my teen daughter, Bekah, and I are passionate about helping moms and daughters grow closer while connecting with God. We have written two mother-daughter devotionals together. Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section after each devotion.
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