Live Reverently

“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” Colossians 3:20

As parents, we are to teach our children above everything else to live in such a way that they please the Lord. One of the greatest questions you could ever teach your children to ask themselves before they start to do something is this: Would this please the Lord? We must teach our children to strive to live in a way that brings joy to the heart of the Lord.

Throughout my years in ministry I have discovered there are two kinds of parents. First, there are parents who raise their kids by looking at the culture. They look to the world as their model. They let Hollywood entertainers and popular opinion dictate how they raise their children. Then, there are parents who listen to Scripture. They don’t take their cues from the world, but rather from God’s Word.

I realize that children rebel even against a godly upbringing. I realize that no parent ever produces a perfect child, because no parent is perfect. Generally speaking, however, parents either want their children to live like the culture or they want their children to live according to Scripture. Trying to do both will never work. As Christian parents we must train our children to live their lives for God’s glory.

I cannot guarantee any parent, nor can any parent guarantee, how their children will turn out. I can tell you this: Godly parents make a personal commitment to Jesus Christ and do everything they can to help their children surrender their lives to Jesus Christ as well. Godly parents don’t say, “Do as I say and not as I do.” Instead, they say, “Follow me as I follow Christ.”

Dear Lord, even though I can't guarantee how my kids will turn out, I know I want to be faithful in teaching them how to follow you. Please help me to do everything I can to teach them how important it is to have a relationship with you. In Jesus' name, amen.