Suggestions for Rearing Your Children for Christ

1. Begin regular spiritual training now and continue through all their developing years (Proverbs 22:6).
2. Clearly demonstrate to them at all times that God is the most important thing in your life, by never allowing other things to interfere with the worship and work of the Lord (Matthew 6:33).
3. Let their early memories include daily readings of Bible stories and Bible discussions in the family circle (2 Timothy 3:15).
4. Give them their own Bible even before they can read. Read to them from it at home and have them take it to church services (Deuteronomy 6:6–7). In their preschool years have them begin a lifetime habit of regular memorization and review of important Bible verses (Psalm 119:11, 16).
5. Teach them to pray by having them repeat after you phrase by phrase. Pray audibly with them daily (Ephesians 6:18). (Never teach them to memorize a prayer.)
6. Speak often of the joys of serving God (Philippians 4:4). Sing songs together about it (never with an instrument, Colossians 3:16). Instill in them a longing to go to heaven.
7. Spend the necessary time to be the main spiritual teacher of your children, more than the preacher or teach­er (Ephesians 6:4).
8. Teach them that lying is one of the worst things they could ever do (Revelation 21:8, 27), and punish them firmly if they do (Proverbs 29:15–17).
9. Train them early in principles of modesty, and you won’t have to combat short shorts, scanty tops, and scanty swim suits in years to come (1 Timothy 2:9).
10. Keep their speech pure by not allowing yourself or them to ever use profanity or even a substitute such as golly, gee, gosh, darn, and heck (Matthew 12:36–37).

“Good understanding giveth favor.” proverbs 13:15