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We take names very seriously in our house.
The Hubby and I pored over the meanings and bible verses as we chose names for our three sons. We prayed, asking God to guide us in choosing each name, and He answered each time. In our dining room, a print hangs on the wall with the first and middle name of each boy along with the bible verse that goes with that name.
A name holds so much. In our society, your name is your identity. When people know your name, you feel valued and important. You feel known.
My kids get this feeling. When they started at a new school this year, hearing another classmate call them by name, inviting them to play at recess or sit with them at lunch, was a huge victory.
God wants our kids to know Him in this way. He wants them to know His NAMES (yes, plural) and to call out to Him with those names. And I believe when our kids know the variety of names by which we can call God, they will know Him even better. As it says in the Bible:
Those who know your name put their trust in you. —Psalm 9:10
Knowing God helps us, and our kids, trust Him better. That’s a pretty awesome reason to get to know His names, right?!
What names of God should you share with your kids first? Let’s start with these:
Immanuel
This is a name we hear a lot around Christmas time, but I like to keep in my mind year round. “Immanuel” means “God with us.” Before my kids know about all the ways God works in their lives, I want them to know He is always with them! Because God is with us, He can be all the things we need Him to be in our lives.
Rabbi
Jesus was often called “Rabbi,” which means teacher. I understand not all kids have a good relationship with their teacher, but I’ve always connected with Jesus as a teacher and my kids do as well. He is not here to scold us, but to teach and guide us through His Word. The best teachers lead by example and we see that holy example all over the Gospels.
Jehovah-Jireh
“Jehovah-Jireh” is a name for God that means “God will provide.” I love this name because it is something we can be on the lookout for as a family. When we talk about God as our provider, we are also opening the eyes of our children to watch for how He shows up to provide in our lives. Whether it comes through meeting financial, physical, or emotional needs, I want all of us to be on alert for the care and faithfulness of God. He provides for each one of us, sometimes in unusual ways, but always abundantly and graciously.
We also think of God as our Shepherd, Comforter, Healer, Father, and Friend. He is the Great I Am. The names go on and on because He is everything we need and more. If you’re looking to share more about the names of God with your children, you will love I Am: 40 Reasons to Trust God by Diane Stortz. This book, available for pre-order right now, offers bible stories, prayers, and devotions all centered around the names of God. It is perfect for family devotions or for your readers to enjoy on their own!
What names of God do you love?
I was in a women’s Bible study with the names of God. I really enjoyed it, but it’s been a few years, so I should do it again to review. 🙂 At one point, I went through various names of God with the kids and talked about them, but we should review that, too, and make it more of our regular conversations.
2 of the names that have been really meaningful to me over the past few years are Jehovah Jireh and El Roi (the God who sees.)
Oh, I love those names so much! Thanks for sharing, Anna!