The First 1,000 Weeks
It’s 1,000 weeks from the moment of conception until you watch your child walk the stage at high school graduation.
Let’s make every one of those weeks matter!
A couple of times a year my family will put together a 1,000 piece puzzle. (Usually without me. I’m not a big puzzle fan) I can help put the edges together, but after that I get pretty frustrated looking for all the right matches. 1,000 is a lot and it’s quite a commitment to put every piece in the right place. The only thing more frustrating to me than trying to find all the right pieces is to put all the pieces together and realize that you are missing some. Now that really frustrates me.
Now imagine if each piece of a 1,000 piece puzzle represented one week of your parenting journey with a child. From the moment of conception until high school graduation is 1,000 weeks for your family. In the early days of parenting you’re putting the edge pieces together. It’s similar to how you can start to get the hang of feeding, sleeping, and cleaning pretty quick. Out of the gate, there are a few bumps, but you start to get the hang of it. Then there’s a season where the work gets more complicated. You’re constantly looking at the box the puzzle came in for some direction, some instruction. As a parent you’re hopefully looking to mentors, resources, and to God’s word to see, “Am I doing this right?” You’re asking yourself “What am I doing? What am I trying to accomplish? Am I going in the right direction? Am I training them up in the way they should go?” As you get close to putting the last pieces together, you’re working on all the last things you’ve not already done. By the time your child is 18 you can see the picture of the kind of man or woman you’ve raised. Each little piece, each week has all come together to form this person standing in front of you. You hope you’ve covered everything you could and should. No missing pieces.
A week goes by pretty fast when you’re parenting.
Of course, I want your family to be discipling everyday. Multiple times a day would be even better. I want you to be seeking the Lord constantly.
Understandably, there are families who feel like getting weekly devotions together is more manageable goal than daily. Whatever your rhythm is going to be, in the first 1,000 weeks, let’s disciple our families in the fear and admonition of the Lord every week. Let’s not miss a single one. No missing pieces.
Making Every Week Matter. No Missing Pieces.
Pray for Your Kids Every Week
Don’t let one week go by without pleading with God on behalf of your kids. We want their salvation, and only God can do that. We want to train up this child in the way they should go, and we pray to God they would always walk that way. Spurgeon says, “We do not bow the knee merely because it is a duty, and a commendable spiritual exercise; but because we believe that, into the ear of the eternal God, we speak our needs and desires, and that His ear is linked with a heart that feels for us, and a hand that is working on our behalf. To us, true prayer is true power.”
Pray With Your Kids Every Week
Don’t let one week go by without praying with your kids. When they are little you pray with them nearby, but not participating. When they can speak, you have them repeat after you. You have them memorize and recite the Lord’s prayer with you. As they get older, you ask them what they want to pray for. A little older and you have them ask you how they can pray for you. You are developing a generation of godly children and it will be built on your training them in how to pray.
Get Into the Bible Together Every Week
Don’t let one week go by without opening up the bible together. It’s not as complicated or intimidating as some people make it out to be. Read a verse or a section or a chapter together and talk about what God is telling us in that passage. Since this passage is true, what does that mean for our family? If you believe, like I do, that the bible is the very word of God for you, then dedicate your weeks to sharing it with your children.
Get Fun Time Together Every Week
Don’t let one week go by without doing something you enjoy together as a family. Maybe your family is into board games. Maybe you’re into playing sports. Maybe you like watching movies together. Whether it’s music or legos or stories, whatever your family likes to do, let’s find some time every week to do it together. You’ll be amazed at what a difference in makes in the long run to enjoy time together as a family.
Eat Together, Talk Together, and Look at Each Other Every Week
Don’t let one week go by without having a real meal together. It’s becoming increasingly rare in our generation to sit down together for a family meal. It’s countercultural to commit to sitting around a table, without a screen, and look at each other while you process what God is doing in and around you. Share about the highs and lows of your day or week. Share about what you’d like to see God do differently. Enjoy each other’s company and look each other in the eye while you listen to one another.
Get Your Family to the Church Gathering Every Week
Don’t let one week go by without going to a church worship service together. Even on vacation. Even when you’re tired. Even when you have to prioritize it over the other things your family has going on. This should be one of the most foundational commitments your family makes. Be an active part of what God is doing in your local church. And don’t just attend. Be there to grow. Take notes. Bring your bible. Worship. Serve. Engage. Care. The church is the family of God. They are better with you and you are better with them. Show your kids how important it is to be a part of the body of Christ.