Thank you ! I never brought up the idea of fasting to my children .. this was a good reminder. I need to incorporate fasting more into my habits of life.
I have given up Instagram for a season and it has helped a lot. That was an app I spent a lot of time on.
I have been fasting from television and TikTok to spend more time growing closer to God, but I did not think to include my boys in the fasting. We've had discussions about my intentional spiritual time with God, but this gives me the confidence to invite them to start a fasting of their own. Getting them to give up TV with me might be a challenge, but starting small with something of their choice is such a great idea.
I've said it before, but where were you when my kids were little?😁 We taught them about fasting (usually things other than food), but your words would have gone a long way back then in this mama’s life. Substack moms are so lucky to have you!
I truly appreciate that Jamie! I have been working with kids for 18 years now and in my role as a children’s pastor for 13. Substack has given me a space to share lessons I have learned and taught to families at my church. I am so happy to pass them on to others and glad it has encouraged you. Please feel free to share this page with others who might benefit from it. Would love to welcome them to the community!
I love this. My children have been introduced to fasting and they love it. Sometimes the fast from games , tv, and sometimes they go all in and only eat fruits and vegetables for a few days.
I think it depends on how aware your kids are of the concept of giving something up or sacrificing something (versus just having something taken away from them). Generally I would think a 1st-2nd grader would begin to be able to comprehend these things. 3rd grade up should be able to for sure.
I think it is importsnt to start small and let them take ownership of it. Letting them choose makes it a sacrifice for them. Hope that is helpful!
Yes, that is! I think my almost 7 year old would be able to begin to grasp what this means and how it is good. My 5 year old woul want to do it just to be like his brother, but I think he’d have a hard time understanding.
My oldest is 5 and finishing up Kindergarten. I’m not sure she would understand the concept just yet. But I do teach this concept to the 3rd-5th graders at my church. They ways do well providing examples of what they could give up and tend to have a solid understanding of the trade off.
My husband and I have led fasts at our church for many years. To my surprise, the kids got on board of their own free will, and in their own way, like some of the ways you mentioned above. We have seen many answers to fasts over the years, and I think it has encouraged them to sacrifice something for a season of prayer.
That is fantastic! I’m so glad it led to seasons of prayer and that you saw the fruit from it. God certainly rewards our faithfulness in His way and His timing!
This is a great message and encouragement to help our children with fasting. Especially the world we live in now. It is so important to deviate them from all the distractions that the world has to offer, and lead them to the Word of God. Once again, this scripture came to mind- Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 NLT . My mother did this for me. Glory to God!🙌 I have done it for my children, ( and still doing it) and now the next generation. Grandbabies.😇
Thank you so much, Matt for sharing this spiritual insight and wisdom on how to train up our children God's way. 💜
May God bless you and your entire family, in abundance. Amen. ✝️🕊️
Matt, great article. Fasting is a challenge for all of us. Thinking of my youngest grandson who is with us a lot. I prefer fasting from certain “stuff.” I had not thought of teaching him about fasting and dependence on God/Jesus. He is seven, so he could grasp it.
Thank you ! I never brought up the idea of fasting to my children .. this was a good reminder. I need to incorporate fasting more into my habits of life.
I have given up Instagram for a season and it has helped a lot. That was an app I spent a lot of time on.
I think it is one most parents feel is off limits are not possible with kids because we so closely associate it with food.
When we broaden the scope, we can find creative ways to begin to teach them this valuable practice. I am glad it was helpful for you to consider!
Good luck with your own personal IG fast!
I have been fasting from television and TikTok to spend more time growing closer to God, but I did not think to include my boys in the fasting. We've had discussions about my intentional spiritual time with God, but this gives me the confidence to invite them to start a fasting of their own. Getting them to give up TV with me might be a challenge, but starting small with something of their choice is such a great idea.
I am so glad this spoke to you, Tiffany! Praying you can all find something that will help you all be more intentional in spending time with Him!
I've said it before, but where were you when my kids were little?😁 We taught them about fasting (usually things other than food), but your words would have gone a long way back then in this mama’s life. Substack moms are so lucky to have you!
I truly appreciate that Jamie! I have been working with kids for 18 years now and in my role as a children’s pastor for 13. Substack has given me a space to share lessons I have learned and taught to families at my church. I am so happy to pass them on to others and glad it has encouraged you. Please feel free to share this page with others who might benefit from it. Would love to welcome them to the community!
I love this. My children have been introduced to fasting and they love it. Sometimes the fast from games , tv, and sometimes they go all in and only eat fruits and vegetables for a few days.
That’s great that it is a common practice within your home. Important life and spiritual skills to learn from even an early age.
A great starting point. What age would you start something like this?
I think it depends on how aware your kids are of the concept of giving something up or sacrificing something (versus just having something taken away from them). Generally I would think a 1st-2nd grader would begin to be able to comprehend these things. 3rd grade up should be able to for sure.
I think it is importsnt to start small and let them take ownership of it. Letting them choose makes it a sacrifice for them. Hope that is helpful!
Yes, that is! I think my almost 7 year old would be able to begin to grasp what this means and how it is good. My 5 year old woul want to do it just to be like his brother, but I think he’d have a hard time understanding.
My oldest is 5 and finishing up Kindergarten. I’m not sure she would understand the concept just yet. But I do teach this concept to the 3rd-5th graders at my church. They ways do well providing examples of what they could give up and tend to have a solid understanding of the trade off.
My husband and I have led fasts at our church for many years. To my surprise, the kids got on board of their own free will, and in their own way, like some of the ways you mentioned above. We have seen many answers to fasts over the years, and I think it has encouraged them to sacrifice something for a season of prayer.
That is fantastic! I’m so glad it led to seasons of prayer and that you saw the fruit from it. God certainly rewards our faithfulness in His way and His timing!
I like to think of food fasting as “praying with my body”
That is a wonderful perspective!
A great article, Matt! Fasting is often overlooked and can be such a good time of coming to the Lord instead going to other things out of habit.
Absolutely! It retrains our mind. It teaches us to more fully depend on Him!
This is a great message and encouragement to help our children with fasting. Especially the world we live in now. It is so important to deviate them from all the distractions that the world has to offer, and lead them to the Word of God. Once again, this scripture came to mind- Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 NLT . My mother did this for me. Glory to God!🙌 I have done it for my children, ( and still doing it) and now the next generation. Grandbabies.😇
Thank you so much, Matt for sharing this spiritual insight and wisdom on how to train up our children God's way. 💜
May God bless you and your entire family, in abundance. Amen. ✝️🕊️
Yolanda 🦋
Appreciate the kind words as always!
The way we raise them matters. We must train them and lead them well.
Amen
It’s so funny, I dread fasting, but every time I do it, I am so happy I did. The flesh definitely resists, but the spirit loves it!
I’ve had great breakthroughs when I have fasted, so it’s definitely a discipline I encourage.
That is very true! It draws you closer to God in a unique way. Something we can all practice in various ways to deepen our relationship with Him.
Matt, great article. Fasting is a challenge for all of us. Thinking of my youngest grandson who is with us a lot. I prefer fasting from certain “stuff.” I had not thought of teaching him about fasting and dependence on God/Jesus. He is seven, so he could grasp it.
I am glad it was encouraging and helpful for you. I pray it leads to fruitful conversations with your grandson and only draws him closer to Jesus.
Very true matt.
Fasting is scriptural. Somthing most men of faith in Scripture practised.
I totoally agree that fasting opens up time to spend with YHWH, when we otherwise would not be as mindful of Him.
Fasting from food can be extremely healthy for the body, too.
True on all accounts! Thanks for sharing!