Nurturing Your Kids' Prophetic Purpose

As a parent or mentor, you may have asked yourself, 'how can I give my kids the support they need to fulfill what they were born to do? To manifest God's word on their life? What should they be exposed to, and what should I shield them from? Every child is different, so I don't believe there's only one way to nurture purpose. But here's a few key practices I learned along the way to get you moving in the right direction. As a rule, always seek the Lord's voice at every step and trust what He's telling you that your child needs. 

1. Let God Speak.  There are things that we want for our kids, and then there is what God needs from them. It's up to you to understand the difference, and make sure your will for their future doesn't get in God's way.  Allow Him to speak and release His destiny for them and encourage them to listen for His unique plan for their life. 
2. Allot dedicated time for the exploration of purpose and destiny (Jeremiah 1; Psalm 139).  There are few things more prophetic than the book that is written of us before time. Knowing God's purpose for us precedes our time and space will help take this conversation with your kids to another level. From an early age,  it's important they understand their lives are appointed and designed and God's not "figuring it out" as we go along. Your child's destiny should not be a guessing game. Yes, they will explore their talents and abilities, and you should encourage them to do so; but their search for purpose and destiny needs to be intentional and focused. Purpose is a battle won more on our knees than through trial and error. War with them in prayer and intercession, diligently seeking God about who He says they are and what they mean to Him. Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations (Jer. 1); Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. (Psalm 139)
3. Focus on Identity first.  Wisdom is the principal thing. So get wisdom, and in all your getting, get understanding.  Purpose starts with wisdom and insight of our identity. Who am I to God? What was I created to do? Who was I created to be?  Wisdom says if I understand who I am, I will make decisions that empower that identity. The fulfillment of purpose lies in you knowing who you are. Empower your children's identity in Christ, their foundation the "who" of what they are in Jesus Christ.
4. Focus on giving them their best shot. (Proverbs 22).  As a parent, coach or mentor your decisions either give your children their best shot at succeeding in God, or they hinder/stunt their growth in Him. Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22). This is a "best shot" type of verse. You won't always be with them and even when they are in your care, you can't be in every single moment. Equip your kids with a quality God-education. Teach them Christ in a way that enables them to make their own decision to follow Him. Present Christ to your kids and then lead by example. If the demonstration they witness is Christ in you and a pattern of worship and devotion is the standard you set for your home, this will become the line of righteousness that they believe in. Even though they may err or wander for a time, your commitment to train them in the ways of the Lord will act as a breadcrumbs they'll look for when they need to find the way back home.
5. ​Teach them to pray and seek on their own.  In their relationship with the Lord, it's not only important they learn to pray and pray effectively, its essential. Help them become confident in their ability to hear God's voice, learning to rely on Him to have something to say about every situation they will encounter.  Specifically, the situations and circumstances that will shape their future.  When they become accustomed to seeking God first, they will look for His insight in the things of life that matter most.  Fight the temptation to be the Holy Spirit for them. Empower them to expect that God will give them His plan for their future.