How moldable is a child?

 How valuable is a parent, guardian, teacher or counselor? David Wilkerson, author of The Cross and the Switchblade, writes, “Good parents do not always produce good children, but devoted, dedicated, hardworking mothers and fathers can weigh the balance in favor of decency and moral character.”

 Here are Ten Commandments for guiding your children:

 Teach them, using God’s Word (Deut. 6:4-9).

1. Tell them what’s right and wrong (1 Kings 1:6).
2. See them as gifts from God (Psalm 127:3).
3. Guide them in godly ways (Proverbs 22:6).
4. Discipline them (Proverbs 29:17).
5. Love them unconditionally (Luke 15:11-32).
6. Do not provoke them to wrath (Ephesians 6:4).
7. Earn their respect by example (1 Timothy 3:4).
8. Provide for their physical needs (1 Timothy 5:8).
9. Pass your faith along to others (2 Timothy 1:5).

 Perhaps it would be good to keep the above list in your Bible where you can occasionally review it. If your children are parents, share it with them. Perhaps they can benefit from these brief thoughts.

 Never forget: Our most important ministry always begins in OUR OWN HOME!

 “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a Reward.”  Psalm 127:3

Tom Swartzwelder was born again at the age of nine in an old-fashioned revival meeting. Tom received his B.A. from Tennessee Temple University and his M. Div from Luther Rice Seminary. He has pastored for nearly forty years in both bi-vocational and full-time roles. He provides practical how-to-do-ministry resources for the disciples of Jesus Christ at http://www.godsgreenhouse.net. Tom’s latest book is “God Speaks–Today!”

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash