Editor’s Note: As students and parents continue to prepare for a new school year, there are several key issues that every family should consider with their children. Regardless of school choice preferences (public, private, homeschool), every parent should not just consider key issues but should discuss certain concepts with their child before embarking on another school year. This blog miniseries will address several of those issues. (Part one – Purpose of Life, Part two – Worldview, Part three – Temptation, Part Four – Christ Makes the Difference, Part Five – Loving Others, Part Six – Living Consistent)

Christ Makes the Difference

To date in this series we have highlighted the necessity of living for the glory of God and the inevitability of temptation. Today we share the good news – the righteousness, presence, and power of Christ makes living for God’s glory possible because Christ makes the difference. The righteousness, presence, and power of Christ makes saying no to temptation possible. Jesus Christ makes the difference for your child.

Implications of Being in Christ for Your Student

These are three major implications that your children absolutely can not afford to miss!

First, the righteousness of Christ makes living for Jesus possible.

When your child asks Jesus for forgiveness of sins and to save him or her, spiritually Christ gives your child a new heart. This new heart is clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. In other words, instead of being dead in sin, your child is now alive in Christ. This means that where honoring God and pleasing Him were once impossible, that is no longer the case. Now your child will have the capacity and the desire to live a life that honors God. Fundamentally, your child has had a heart change which now make Christlikeness possible (cf. Phil 3:7-11; 2 Cor 5:17; Eph 4:20-24; Col 3:1-4, 9-11).

Second, the presence of Christ means they are never alone.

Regardless of what is happening around them or to them, Jesus is with them. He will never leave them or forsake them. He is with them always (Matthew 28:20). Let this sink into your heart and into your children’s hearts, Jesus goes with you; therefore, you are never alone.Let this sink into your heart and into your children's hearts, Jesus goes with you; therefore, you are never alone. Click To Tweet

Third, the power of Christ’s resurrection works in you and your children.

That power of course is realized though the Holy Spirit. This power is the same power that raised Jesus from the grave, seated Christ on the right hand of the throne of God, put all things under Christ’s feet, and made Him the head of the church (Ephesians 1:19-23). That power works in your child. Your child has resurrection power enabling him or her to be and do everything God desires.Your child has resurrection power enabling him or her to be and do everything God desires. Click To Tweet

The Benefits of Jesus Christ for Your Children Are Incredible.

Put all of this together and you have one incredible package of blessings for your children as they face school this new school year and life in general. Will there be temptation? Yes. Will there be times of loneliness? Yes. Will there be peer pressure? Yes. Will there be times they are tired and worn out? Yes. Yes to all these things of course. However, the righteousness, presence, and power of Christ provides them everything they need to live a God-honoring life (2 Pet 1:3).

Key Bible Passages to Help

“As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,” (2 Peter 1:3).

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Cor 5:17).

“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Phil 3:7-11).

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).

The good news - the righteousness, presence, and power of Christ makes living for God's glory possible. The righteousness, presence, and power of Christ makes saying no to temptation possible. Click To Tweet

Teaching Opportunities for Parents

  • Have your child memorize (or better yet, have the entire family memorize) one or two of the key verses above. Be sure you explain them clearly for your child to understand what they mean.
  • Take time to pray with your children to ask God to help them remember all the resources they have in Christ – His righteousness, His presence, and His power.
  • Be very specific as to the presence of Christ. Many children get lonely in the midst of a school day and long for friendships of various sorts. Help your child remember that Christ is always with him or her. Remind him or her that prayer is a way to talk to God, that God listens, and that God cares.
  • God speaks to your child through the Bible verses they memorize, review, and remember. So make sure that you are regularly reviewing Bible verses with your children so that they keep the Scriptures on their hearts and minds.
  • There are several ways to help your children understand these principles. One illustration for the power of the resurrection that works in your child through the Holy Spirit is like a plugged in lamp. Although the lamp is plugged in, a good light bulb is installed, and it is helpful, until someone actually turns it on, there is no benefit from the power that is available. Your children need to depend upon the Spirit, remember key passages, and be grateful for the power of the Spirit working in them.

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