In a world full of distractions, are we raising children who truly know what they’re looking for?
John 1:35-42
As Christian parents, we live in the midst of constant motion—soccer practices, piano lessons, school projects, work deadlines, and household demands that never seem to end. But in the quiet moments, when the house finally settles and the children are asleep, a crucial question emerges: What are we really seeking in life? And perhaps even more importantly, what are we teaching our children to seek?
This question isn’t just about our personal spiritual journey, it’s about the legacy we’re building in the hearts and minds of the next generation. The answer will shape not only our own lives but the eternal destiny of our children and grandchildren.
The Question That Changes Everything
In John 1:35-42, we witness a powerful moment when John the Baptist points to Jesus and declares, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” Two disciples immediately begin following Jesus. But then something remarkable happens—Jesus turns to these followers and asks a question that every Christian parent needs to wrestle with: “What do you seek?”
This wasn’t casual conversation. Jesus was cutting to the heart of human motivation. He was asking about their deepest desires, their ultimate pursuits, the driving force behind their decisions. And He’s asking the same question of Christian families today.
As parents, we must ask ourselves: What are we seeking? What are we teaching our children to seek? Are we pursuing the things that matter for eternity, or are we caught up in the temporary pursuits that our culture celebrates?
What Our Culture Teaches Children to Seek
Before we can answer Jesus’ question honestly, we need to recognize what messages our children are receiving about what’s worth pursuing:
The Pursuit of Achievement
Our achievement-obsessed culture teaches children that their worth comes from their performance. From toddler enrichment classes to college prep pressure, children learn to seek validation through accomplishments rather than finding their identity in Christ.
The Pursuit of Pleasure
Entertainment, instant gratification, and comfort have become the primary goals for many young people. They’re taught to seek what feels good rather than what is good.
The Pursuit of Popularity
Social media has amplified the human desire for approval. Children learn to seek the approval of peers rather than the approval of their Heavenly Father.
The Pursuit of Possessions
Materialism promises happiness through acquisition. Children are taught to seek fulfillment through what they can buy rather than through their relationship with God.
As Christian parents, we must ask: Are we unconsciously reinforcing these worldly pursuits in our own homes?
The Disciples’ Response: A Model for Families
When Jesus asked “What do you seek?” the disciples didn’t give a quick, superficial answer. Instead, they asked, “Where are You staying?” They wanted to know where Jesus lived, where He spent His time, what His daily life looked like.
Jesus’ response was simple but profound: “Come, and you will see.”
The disciples then did something that offers a powerful model for Christian families—they spent the day with Jesus. They didn’t rush to judgment, didn’t settle for surface-level answers, but invested time in truly knowing Him.
This is exactly what Christian families need to do today. Instead of rushing through life, making assumptions about what we’re seeking, we need to intentionally spend time with Jesus as a family, allowing Him to show us what’s truly worth pursuing.
Creating Space for Your Family to Seek Jesus
Daily Family Devotions: Where Does Jesus “Stay” in Your Home?
Just as the disciples asked where Jesus was staying, we need to establish where Jesus “lives” in our family’s daily routine. This means creating consistent, protected time for family worship, Bible reading, and prayer—not as a burden, but as the highlight of your day.
Practical Ideas:
- Morning family prayer before the day’s activities begin
- Evening Bible reading where everyone shares one thing they learned about God
- Mealtime gratitude that goes beyond rote prayers to genuine thanksgiving
- Bedtime conversations about God’s goodness and protection
Extended Time: Family Retreats and Sabbath Keeping
The disciples spent an entire day with Jesus. Christian families need extended time together, away from distractions, to truly seek God’s heart for their lives.
Consider:
- Family camping trips with no technology, focused on God’s creation and each other
- Home retreats where the family spends a full day in worship, Bible study, and meaningful conversation
- Sabbath observance that creates weekly rhythm for seeking God together
- Service projects that allow the family to seek God through serving others
Teaching Children What’s Worth Seeking
Seeking God’s Will Over Personal Preference
In our culture of individualism, children are taught that their personal desires are paramount. Christian families must teach children to seek God’s will above their own preferences, demonstrating through family decisions that God’s wisdom is better than human wisdom.
Family Application:
- Include children in decisions about where to live, what church to attend, and how to spend family resources, always asking “What would God want?”
- When children face difficult choices, teach them to pray and seek biblical guidance rather than just following their feelings
- Share stories of how God has guided your family in unexpected but good directions
Seeking Eternal Treasure Over Temporary Pleasure
Jesus taught that we should store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. Christian parents must help children understand the difference between temporary pleasures and eternal rewards.
Practical Teaching:
- Generous giving as a family, showing children that money is a tool for God’s kingdom
- Sacrificial service that demonstrates love for others over personal comfort
- Simple living that finds joy in relationships and God’s provision rather than material excess
- Mission emphasis that helps children see beyond their immediate world to God’s global purposes
Seeking Depth Over Surface Experiences
In our instant-gratification culture, children rarely learn to appreciate depth and patience. The disciples’ willingness to spend a full day with Jesus teaches us the value of deep, sustained seeking.
Family Practices:
- Deep Bible study that goes beyond surface-level lessons to wrestle with God’s truth
- Meaningful traditions that create lasting memories and spiritual significance
- Patient problem-solving that teaches children to seek God’s wisdom over time rather than demanding immediate answers
- Contemplative practices like nature walks or quiet prayer time that develop spiritual sensitivity
The Cost and Reward of Counter-Cultural Seeking
Teaching children to seek Jesus above all else will often put your family at odds with cultural expectations:
Potential Costs:
- Children may miss some opportunities because of family priorities
- Other parents may question your family’s choices
- Your children may feel different from their peers
- Financial sacrifices may be required to maintain your values
Eternal Rewards:
- Children who know their identity in Christ rather than in achievement
- Young people who can navigate cultural pressures with biblical wisdom
- Adults who prioritize relationships over success
- A generational legacy of faithfulness to God
Jesus Still Asks the Question
The beautiful truth for Christian families is that Jesus is still asking, “What do you seek?” And He’s still saying, “Come, and you will see.”
But unlike the disciples, we don’t have to wonder where Jesus is staying. Through His Spirit, He lives in our homes, our churches, our daily lives. The question is whether we’re creating space for our families to truly seek Him and discover what He wants to show us.
Revelation 3:20 reminds us: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”
Jesus is knocking on the door of your family life. He wants to share intimate fellowship with you and your children. He wants to show you what’s truly worth seeking. The question is: Will you open the door? Will you make time and space to truly seek Him together?
This week, ask Jesus’ question in your own home: “What do you seek?”
Don’t settle for quick answers. Don’t assume you know what your children are really pursuing in their hearts. Create time and space for honest conversation. Spend extended time together seeking God’s heart for your family.
Consider planning a family retreat—even if it’s just an afternoon in your own living room with phones turned off and hearts turned toward heaven. Ask God to show yo
Leave a comment