How Christian Parents Can Raise Children Who Are Set Apart | The Fruitful Family
In a culture that celebrates being relevant, staying current, and keeping up with the latest trends, it can be surprisingly difficult for Christian parents to remember that our calling has never been to fit in. Scripture repeatedly reminds us that God's people are meant to be different—not strange for the sake of being strange, but holy because we belong to Him.
In this week's episode of Prayers for Parents, we meditate on what it means to raise families that are in the world but not of it, resisting the pressure to chase approval, possessions, and popularity while pursuing Christ above all else.
Listen to the podcast episode: A Prayer for Resisting Worldliness
The Pressure to Keep Up
Every day we are subtly discipled by the culture around us.
We're told we need the newest technology.
The latest parenting philosophy.
The trendiest clothes.
The perfect home.
The busiest schedule.
The most impressive children.
Social media magnifies the pressure, making us feel as though everyone else is ahead while we're somehow falling behind.
Without realizing it, our hearts begin to ask questions like:
What will other people think?
Am I successful enough?
Are my kids doing enough?
Do we look like we have it all together?
These questions slowly shift our attention away from God and toward the opinions of people.
Do Not Be Conformed
Paul gives believers a radically different command:
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind..."
Romans 12:2
Conforming is easy. It requires almost no effort because we naturally drift with the current around us.
Transformation, however, requires surrender.
It means allowing God's Word—not social media, popular opinion, or modern trends—to shape how we think, parent, spend our money, define success, and live each day.
Holiness Means Being Set Apart
Peter reminds believers:
"As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct."
1 Peter 1:15
The word holy literally means set apart.
God has never asked His people to blend seamlessly into the culture. Instead, He calls us to reflect His character in every area of life.
For parents, that may look like:
Choosing faithfulness over popularity.
Prioritizing family worship over endless activities.
Seeking wisdom instead of the newest parenting trend.
Valuing character more than achievement.
Teaching children to love God more than the approval of others.
Holiness isn't about outward appearances or legalism. It's about belonging completely to Christ.
In the World, But Not Owned by It
Jesus prayed these remarkable words for His followers:
"They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world... Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."
John 17:16–17
Notice that Jesus didn't ask the Father to remove His people from the world.
Instead, He asked that they would be protected from evil and sanctified through God's truth.
Christian families aren't called to isolate themselves from society. We are called to live differently within it.
Our homes should become places where God's values are practiced daily—even when they run contrary to the surrounding culture.
A Different Definition of Success
One of the greatest temptations for parents is to measure success the same way the world does.
The world celebrates:
Fame
Wealth
Influence
Achievement
Image
Recognition
But Scripture points us toward something far greater:
Humility
Faithfulness
Love
Obedience
Generosity
Holiness
Our greatest desire shouldn't be to raise impressive children.
It should be to raise children who know Christ, love Him deeply, and faithfully follow Him wherever He leads.
A Prayer Against Worldliness
In today's prayer we confess something many of us quietly struggle with:
"We often are pulled and swayed by a sinister pressure to keep up... to be the one in the know... or simply to be 'in.'"
Worldliness often disguises itself as normal life.
It whispers that our worth comes from being admired, accomplished, fashionable, or successful.
But Christ offers something far better.
He invites us to lay down our striving.
To seek His approval above all else.
To exchange self-promotion for humility.
To clothe ourselves with the fruit of the Spirit rather than the latest fashions.
To become people whose greatest joy is making much of Jesus instead of making much of ourselves.
A Prayer for Parents
In our fast-paced world
We confess to you
That we often are pulled and swayed
By a sinister pressure to keep up
To stay ahead of the times
In pursuit of trends and methods
To be the one in the know
Or simply to be “in”
Rid us now of this unwholesome desire
To be seen in the eyes of the world
As cosmopolitan or overly knowledgeable in transient things
Because worldliness is in many ways
The opposite of holiness
It is not easy to be set apart
While being indistinguishable from the world that surrounds
Heal us of our need to be seen and heard
And deliver us from the desire to make a name for ourselves
We want to want you
More than any accolades or material comforts
Help us to flee from the rat race
And the pursuit of more
Seeking instead You Yourself,
The standard for holiness
And the judge of our own value.
In humility, help us look to the needs of others
Rather than fixating on our own self image
Form us into figures who clothe ourselves
With the fruit of the spirit
Rather than the finest clothing
And make us people who sing your praise
In word and in deed
Before we strive to be the first singing the latest hit song.
Make us more like you
Holy, set apart
Living in the world
But not being owned by it or ruled by the desires of the flesh
May we long for your approval alone
So that we may glorify you alone
Amen
Listen to the Full Episode
If this reflection encouraged you, be sure to listen to the full episode of Prayers for Parents, where we meditate on these Scriptures and pray together for hearts that are holy, humble, and fully devoted to Christ.