Parenting Points
All Saints’ Day, observed on November 1, is significant for many Christians worldwide. It is a time for believers to honor and remember the lives of Christian heroes and role models who have left a lasting impact on our faith. We are encouraged to look and learn from the “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1 ESV) as the author of the Hebrews encourages us. From their encouragement, we can more faithfully “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1 ESV).
In our current church environment, we have neglected to remember the stories of faithful people who have gone before us. The church’s history is filled with examples of martyrs who gave their lives faithfully following Jesus, other saints who lived their lives faithfully following Jesus, and missionaries who gave up their comforts to take the gospel to hard to reach places. We need to remember their stories and seek to learn from them. All Saints’ Day creates a space for Christian families to reflect on the lives of great Christian leaders, missionaries, theologians, and other influential figures. It’s a day to remember the likes of Saint Augustine, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther, Hudson Taylor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and countless others who have shaped the Christian faith and impacted the world through their lives.
The stories of those who have gone before us serve as roadmaps, illuminating the path of faith, love, compassion, and sacrifice. They remind our families that a life lived in service to God and humanity is a life truly well-lived. Even if November 1 has come and gone, take some time this November to connect your children to the stories of the saints who have gone before us. Do some quick online research to learn more about a person’s story and share it with your kids. Spend some time discussing the story with your family, seeking to understand how the person faithfully followed God in difficult moments. Then discuss what it would look like for you and your family to live out your faith daily. All Saints’ Day is a beautiful occasion to draw inspiration from the lives of those who dedicated themselves to Christ. As we honor these Christian heroes, let us strive to embody their faith and allow the Lord to use our family’s lives to make an impact for God’s kingdom.
-Dr. Ben Birdsong
Missions Minister at Christ Church Birmingham
Writer and Speaker
