10 Things I Want My Children to Remember Forever, Part II
If there were only a handful of things you could teach your children, what would they be? As young parents, my wife and I centered on 10 things we felt most important to impart to our children. Last week I shared the first five. Here is the rest of my list.
6. Forgive others. Relationships are of great importance in everyone’s life. Without forgiveness, long-term relationships are not possible. People make too many mistakes, lose their temper, say and do the wrong thing, and fail far too often. Matthew 18:21, 22 teaches, “Then Peter came and said to Him, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven...”
7. Do the right thing. 1 Peter 3:17, “For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.” The key to doing the right thing is found in the Bible, where we should gain our strongest convictions. Doing right both reveals and produces integrity and high character.
8. There is always a price to pay. Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” The law of the harvest teaches we reap what we sow. We can either pay the price up front (education, preparation, pay cash) or pay the price later (lack of career choices, credit card interest, etc.) There is always a price to pay.
9. Never give up. Hebrews 10:36, “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.” We cannot accomplish much if we quit. Quitting is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
10. Follow Christ. Obviously, that’s most important to me. Many children joined the church and have been baptized. Too many parents relax after these events. They believe their child “made it in.” But, was there really a life change? Is Jesus their Lord? There is nothing more important than your child receiving Christ and following Him.
What are you teaching your children? What would you add to this list?
6. Forgive others. Relationships are of great importance in everyone’s life. Without forgiveness, long-term relationships are not possible. People make too many mistakes, lose their temper, say and do the wrong thing, and fail far too often. Matthew 18:21, 22 teaches, “Then Peter came and said to Him, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven...”
7. Do the right thing. 1 Peter 3:17, “For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.” The key to doing the right thing is found in the Bible, where we should gain our strongest convictions. Doing right both reveals and produces integrity and high character.
8. There is always a price to pay. Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” The law of the harvest teaches we reap what we sow. We can either pay the price up front (education, preparation, pay cash) or pay the price later (lack of career choices, credit card interest, etc.) There is always a price to pay.
9. Never give up. Hebrews 10:36, “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.” We cannot accomplish much if we quit. Quitting is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
10. Follow Christ. Obviously, that’s most important to me. Many children joined the church and have been baptized. Too many parents relax after these events. They believe their child “made it in.” But, was there really a life change? Is Jesus their Lord? There is nothing more important than your child receiving Christ and following Him.
What are you teaching your children? What would you add to this list?
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