September 12, 2023
The Influence of Godly Parents
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:5-9
In preparing the Israelites for the promised land, God didn’t command priests, teachers, or national leaders to train the next generation. Instead, He assigned this to parents.
This remains true today. First, we’re to train children verbally, through teachings and conversations about God and His Word. Second, we’re to influence them by our actions. When parents let Scripture guide their motives and actions, children can’t help but notice—and they learn behavior by example.
Consider how the following behaviors could influence our children:
- If they see us rely on God and believe the Bible, they’ll know He is trustworthy.
- If we’re diligent to obey Him, they’ll prioritize this attitude, too.
- If we endure difficulty, they’ll learn perseverance and patience.
- If we honor those in authority over us, children will learn respect.
If you are a parent, teacher, or other person of influence in young people’s lives, take time today to consider what they may or may not be observing in your life. I pray that your relationship with God would influence how you act and overflow into the lives of the young men and women around you.
Listen to Dr. Michael W. Wesley Sr. on OnePlace.com
Watch Dr. Michael W. Wesley Sr. on LightSource.com
