Here are some Bible passages that can help with parenting if you have a child with Down Syndrome. These Bible passages can encourage and ground you whether you have a family member with a disability, or simply need to be reminded that there is hope.
1: Flourishing
“She is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.” Psalm 1:3
Your kid is planted by God and believe that he/she will be nourished by God Himself in the richness of His dignity.
2: Displaying the Work of God
“This happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” John 9:3
Read the story of the man born blind in John 9. In it, Jesus’ disciples see the man as a morality tale. They assume that his blindness, his disability, came as a result of sin. Jesus overturns their overly simplistic view of the world when he says, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” Jesus flipped the script and again made a promise. No one did anything wrong. Your kid will be intended to bear witness to the glory of God.
3: The Way of Love
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
The words of 1 Corinthians 13, Paul’s great proclamation about love, as Scripture reading. Paul explains all the things we might think we can do to prove that our lives matter—impress people with our intellect or our selfless service to others or even our miraculous demonstrations of spiritual power. Paul says none of that matters one bit without the patient, gentle, kindness of love. “Without love, I am nothing,” he writes. It is the other way to experience and participate in a life of beauty, connection, purpose, and meaning.
4: Wonderfully Made
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14
This Word can make your kids strong if you make them read aloud.
5: God’s Peace
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Philippians 4:6-7
Teach your children this Word and let them say when they have a situation afraid of confrontations. Pray together with your kid. Simplify those words into “I give you my anxiety. I receive your peace.” And take a breath deeply together.