with us. 1st Chronicles 29:17
says, “I know also, my God, that
You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness.” God takes
pleasure when we are mindful to
honor Him in everything we do;
how much more when our chil- lessons are much more impactdren learn to be mindful of Him ful when we act rather than just
because of our example?
talk. However it is not just about
performing an act of kindness
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, once or twice when we think our
“What we are speaks louder than children are paying attention, it
what we say.” It can also be said is about living a life of love, kindthat what we are is spoken loudly ness, and generosity every day.
by our children. This is because Romans 12:1 says, “I beseech
they tend to be very quick to teach you therefore, brethren, by the
the things they learn from us. mercies of God, that you presThe question becomes: do we ent your bodies a living sacrifice,
want our children telling others holy, acceptable to God, which is
what we teach them? Our chil- your reasonable service.” This is
dren are listening, and they want not a plea bound by time, but an
to know that we have something urgent appeal to live an exemto offer them. We must teach plary life that shines Jesus’ light
them before they learn to listen to the world – full time. Romans
to less-tha n-reputable sources. 12 is a good chapter to rememIf we rely on external sources to ber as it tells us how we can walk
teach our children basic truths in the light. Verse 10 sums it up
and life lessons, we lose influ- quite well: “Be kindly affectionence and credibility. Later, when ate to one another with brotherly
we attempt to teach them, we love, in honor giving preference
will be working against the truth to one another…”
that has been implanted in them
already, and they will question Remember
the
childhood
one or the other. Teach them dreams. We can be living those
the truth about God, and teach dreams in the present! Men can
them how to question what they be the knights in shining armor
are taught. When they grow up, to their queens and the children
they will not be easily swayed by can be eye witnesses to the type
false doctrine.
of life they are dreaming about.
Fathers, open doors for your
When should we begin to teach wives, even if you have to walk
our children about being good around the car, and likewise,
parents? As with every other life wives, encourage your huslesson, there are no specifics, no bands when they work hard outscripts, no rules or techniques side. Parents, instead of fighting
that can prepare you for the per- in front of the kids, show them
fect opportunity to teach. What your faith that God can bring you
is more impactful, a preacher out of your tough times. Teach
talking about feeding the home- the boys that they are chivalrous
less or actually seeing him or knights and the girls that they
her out on the street giving the are respected princesses. Take
homeless a bag of food and them on adventures; sacrifice
money? If Jesus only talked your time (Romans 12:1) to show
about healing the sick and did them they matter. You see, our
not put those words into action, best teaching as parents, good
would His example be as pow- or bad, happens when we live
erful? No, it is quite clear that life.