10 Biblical Affirmations for Kids of All Ages
Not long ago, our family shared 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. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for three devotional books to affirm your children’s identities in Christ.
Biblical Affirmations for Your Kids
I wasn’t thinking about developing our daughter’s identity in Christ when it happened.
It was a balmy August evening, and rays of sinking sun shone white on the lawn as we finished dinner on the deck.
My husband Darrell offered to take the kids to the yard while I cleaned up from dinner. In no time, the hose outside was squirting water into the sky, and rainbows danced over the grass. I heard it all through the open window while I scrubbed dishes at the kitchen sink.
Suddenly, a primal scream interrupted the joyful commotion outside. Dropping the sponge in the sink, I rushed out the screen door without bothering to close it behind me.
“Bekah accidentally sprayed Caleb’s face with the hose,” Darrell explained over the two wailing children.
I breathed a deep sigh of relief and sat on the ground with Bekah, scooping her into my lap.
“It was an accident, babe. It’s okay,” I reassured 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 retorted, and she began hitting herself in the head.
After calming her, I looked into her eyes and began speaking Truth: I told her that no mistake would ever define her. I told her that she’s wildly loved by her parents and the God who created her.
Later that night, I reflected on the evening’s events.
I was 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 by God, 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 blessings 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.
Calling All Parents and Grandparents!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
A Devotional for Boys
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
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 for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Find Our Family Devotionals Here
Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love. I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here!
