The Best Christian Rules to Teach your Daughter

Have you read the rules to teach your daughter going around Facebook? I’ve seen that heart-warming, feel-good list a few times, but never read it carefully. It always seemed like an empowering, you go girl kind of list. Thumbs up, heart it and move on.

But when I slowed down to actually read it, I was surprised by how many of those rules don’t line up with how God instructs us to live.

In fact, following some of these rules led me down some paths that I don’t want my daughter to walk. I would rather her skip those portions of my coming of age if possible.

Seriously, if I could go back in time to give myself some rules, they definitely would not include following my heart and trusting my intuition. Those are terrible rules!

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV / The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

While I can’t prevent her from experiencing her own difficulties and struggling with sin, if I could write my own list of rules, I would want them all to center on Jesus.

My earthly advice may fail her, but Jesus never will.

A feel-good set of empowering rules to teach your daughter has been running around the internet, but it's missing the one thing she really needs: Jesus. #rulesfordaughters #ChristianMom #ChristianParenting #MomLife Click To Tweet

The Best Christian Rules to Teach Your Daughter

• Love God with all that you are; then love other people with His kind of unconditional love.
• Allow God’s incredible universe to inspire praise & prayers. God bends his ear to listen to your prayers.
• Life is often hard and unfair. But know that it was hard and unfair to Jesus first. You can’t expect to be treated better than Jesus.

John 15:18-20 ESV / “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you….” 

• Reacting well when life is hard and unfair speaks louder than any fit you can throw would. People will see Jesus (or won’t) in how you handle the hard parts. Matthew 5:16
• It’s okay to cry when you’re hurt or life is hard, but take those broken places to Jesus. You’ll be amazed at how He comes beside you during your darkest times.

• Forgive often. You’ll never regret letting go of hurt and bitterness. Trust God to deal justly with those who hurt you as He has dealt with you.
• Don’t be afraid to say “I’m sorry.” Taking responsibility for your side doesn’t excuse other’s wrongs, but frees you from carrying the baggage from your own.
• Don’t follow people, they will always fall short. Follow God and you’ll find people worth doing life with.
• Always hold yourself to a higher standard of following Jesus than you hold others. (Matthew 5 is a pretty good place to start)
• Happiness is a fleeting emotion based on temporary circumstances. Joy is a permanent condition found in knowing your eternal circumstances. Don’t take your eyes off Jesus.

Philippians 4:11 (ESV) ¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

The Best Christian Rules to Teach Your Daughter FREE Printable PDF

• Let your kindness and gentleness be known by all.
• Pray constantly like you’re having a running conversation with a friend. God loves it when we come to Him with everything.
• Fill your mind and heart with the things you want to see flow out of your mouth. Hold them to the Phil. 4:8 standard.
• Learn how to have genuine joy and be able to smile with sincerity, even through tears. That is the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Philippians 4:4-9 ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

• Always walk with your tribe. This is important for many reasons, especially if you are a little clumsy. Ecc 4:10
• God has given you the ability and strength to do whatever He has called you to do, but it still takes hard work to develop your talents and gifts.
• Your body, God’s rules. When you choose God’s way of caring for your body, you protect yourself and your future physically, sexually, spiritually, and emotionally.
• If you have an opinion, know what you believe and why. Be able to back it up and check it against what God says.

1 Peter 3:15 ESV But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

• Enjoy the ways God made you uniquely gifted. No one else will ever be able to take your role in His plan. Always remember that God planned for you before the universe began. Eph. 2:10
• God made you AMAZING. If people can’t see that, they lose out.
• Better to let God close doors than force them open.
• Beauty is an attitude, not a look. If you are kind, loving, gentle, etc., people will see how beautiful you really are.
• Don’t compare yourself to anyone else.
• As much as it is up to you, get along with all persons. Friendliness and manners go along way.

• Question everything – even your own feelings, but hold everything to the universal truths of God. His word can take testing.
• No matter where you are, you can always come home. You are always my girl. I will run to you like the father in the story of the prodigal son.
• You don’t necessarily need to get married to be a fulfilled woman. Sometimes being single is a gift from God. Embrace whatever God has in store for your life.
• Don’t settle for anything less than God’s best for you. You’re worth waiting for. Trust His timing.
• Be patient with difficult people. You are one of them. And God gave you His perfect grace. Share that with people who need it most.
• When you’re a mom, don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s the hardest job I’ve ever loved.
• Stay in your Bible. Following God’s word will protect you from a lot of poor choices and help you know His will for your life.
• Always remember you’re a daughter of the King. Act like it.

I pray I live these rules in a way that inspires my daughter to follow them, too.