Devotionals by Dr. James Dobson
Bad Company
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
1 Corinthians 15:33
Every parent is under terrible pressure in today’s fast-paced culture. The demands of jobs, maintaining a house, keeping up with financial commitments, church responsibilities, and trying to raise a family keep us running at breakneck speed. As a result, too many kids are regularly left at home to care for themselves (41 percent of children ages twelve to fourteen, according to the U.S. Census Bureau). It’s no wonder that we are sometimes barely aware of what our kids are doing day to day. In an immoral culture, that can be disastrous.
Lonely and energetic adolescents in this situation are especially vulnerable to the worldly influence of peers. Their need for acceptance by friends at this time is overwhelming. To protect your children from these potential dangers, we urge you to stay close to them. Know who their friends are; have them over for dinner or a family activity. Talk to your kids about your spiritual beliefs and values. Explain the impact of peer pressure and how difficult it can be to go against the wishes of the group. Then remind them of God’s position in Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Your encouragement at this critical time can help assure good character in your kids—no mater what company they keep.
Before you say good night…
- How well do you know your children’s friends?
- How can you initiate conversations to get to know them?
- How much unsupervised time do your kids have each week?
O God, we want to encourage our children as they enter the difficult years of adolescence. Grant us the wisdom to guide and lead them with eternity’s values in mind, and to show that Your acceptance is all we ever need. Amen.
Statistic from “Census Bureau Says 7 Million Grade-School Children Home Alone,” U.S. Census Bureau, 31 October 2000. https://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2000/cb00-181.html (accessed 16 July 2002).
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This devotional is taken from Night Light for Parents. Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
About Family Talk
Family Talk is a Christian non-profit organization located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Founded in 2010 by Dr. James Dobson, the ministry promotes and teaches biblical principles that support marriage, family, and child-development. Since its inception, Family Talk has served millions of families with broadcasts, monthly newsletters, feature articles, videos, blogs, books and other resources available on demand via its website, mobile apps, and social media platforms.
The Dr. James Dobson Family Institute (JDFI) is a Christian non-profit ministry located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Founded initially as Family Talk in 2010 by Dr. James Dobson, the organization promotes and teaches biblical principles that support marriage, family, and child development. Since its inception, Family Talk has served families with broadcasts, monthly newsletters, feature articles, videos, blogs, books, and other resources available on demand via their website, mobile apps, and social media platforms. In 2017, the ministry rebranded under JDFI to expand its four core ministry divisions consisting of the Family Talk radio broadcast, the Dobson Policy and Education Centers, and the Dobson Digital Library.
Dr. Dobson's flagship broadcast called, “Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk," is aired on more than 1,500 terrestrial radio outlets and numerous digital channels that reach millions each month.
About Dr. James Dobson
Dr. James Dobson is the Founder Chairman of the James Dobson Family Institute, a nonprofit organization that produces his radio program, “Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk.” He has an earned Ph.D. from the University of Southern California and holds 18 honorary doctoral degrees. He is the author of more than 70 books dedicated to the preservation of the family including, The New Dare to Discipline, Love for a Lifetime, Life on the Edge, Love Must Be Tough, The New Strong-Willed Child, When God Doesn't Make Sense, Bringing Up Boys, Bringing Up Girls, and, most recently, Your Legacy: The Greatest Gift. Dr. Dobson served as an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Southern California School of Medicine for 14 years and on the attending staff of Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles for 17 years in the divisions of Child Development and Medical Genetics. He has advised five U.S. presidents and served on eight national commissions. Dr. Dobson has been married to Shirley for 64 years, and they have two grown children, Danae and Ryan, and two grandchildren.
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