Raising a Godly Kid

PRAY OVER THIS

“My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother.”

(Proverbs 1:8)

 

READ THIS

As parents, our chief desire for our children should be that they love God and honor Him with their lives. The Book of Proverbs is full of wisdom for those who want to raise kids that count in the cause of Christ.

We must first give them an example. (See Proverbs 1:8.) Our children will learn more from our lifestyle than they will learn from our words. Good character is not so much taught as it is caught; it must be demonstrated through us.

Second, we should give our children unconditional love, regardless of their misbehavior. This doesn’t mean we give them everything they want. True love is not giving someone what he or she wants; rather, love gives what one needs.

We must give our children constant encouragement. There’s a difference between praise and encouragement. Praise focuses on the accomplishments of the child, while encouragement focuses on the actual child. Our children need to know they are not a sum of their achievements and that we love them for who they are.

CONSIDER THIS

How did you “catch” good character growing up? How did this influence you throughout your life?

How does displaying unconditional love to those in our lives point them to the love of God?

DO THIS

Take time to encourage a child in your life this week. Remember, praise focuses on accomplishments, but encouragement focuses on the actual child.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers