Psalm 127:3 …children are heritage of the Lord…

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There is nothing more precious that God has entrusted to us than our children. God has given me four amazing children over the last twenty-plus years of marriage. From newborns to adults, my wife and I have seen all the stages of our children’s lives.  We have loved every moment of it!
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When our children were younger, we didn’t have to explain much to them on why we did or why we didn’t do certain things. Our rules were just to be obeyed without question. As they got older and understood more, we started to explain to them, either biblically or through life’s lessons, why we had certain rules. I wanted my children to understand why we had certain biblical standards and rules that we adhere to. I want them to have these biblical standards not just in my house, but also as they have their own family one day.
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You see, it is not too hard to teach your children rules. As a matter of fact, you can “make” your children obey. Managing their obedience or behavior is not too difficult. It simply requires the fear of loss that comes with a strong hand of authority and a list of expectations that you require them to follow.  These actions are often very visibly rewarding. Outwardly they are doing what you want them to do! The child looks good, and as a parent, you look good, but the sad thing is that their behavior and obedience changes when you are not around.

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Teaching your children to just obey rules is short lived. It is like cotton candy. It is big, fluffy, colorful, and looks very delicious, but melts away and shrivels without much sustenance an impact with your mouth. Making your children obey and behave right is short-live but teaching your children to embrace biblical values and honor Christ with their lives will last.

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Teaching your children to embrace biblical values and honor the Lord is a philosophy that create young people who will honor you and our Savior. Teaching your children to embrace biblical values and rules takes time, effort, training, sacrifice, and investment.  It requires you as a parent to get out of your comfort zone and learn and apply these biblical values yourself. It is more challenging and less visible outwardly than “making your children obey.” The results take time, work, and prayer, but these results last a lifetime.
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Don’t get me wrong, teaching your children to obey rules is important; but obeying rules just because you are around will not produce the right type of young people. If you wish to truly teach your children biblical, focus on their heart. Young people can put up a front and “learn” to obey, they can learn the “game,” they can put up a front to get people “off their back.” One day they will walk away from the Christian life.  Let us do all we can to teach and disciple our children to love the Lord and have biblical values from the heart.
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Proverbs 3:1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: