The Power of Being a Godly Parent – part 2

Yesterday i shared the first of  3 keys to help us be successful in our homeschooling and parenting: Continual Focus on the Bible.  If you missed it, you can read it here:  Part 1

2^nd Key to Success: Growth in Character

Since Godly character springs from a deep relationship with Jesus, it rests on the foundation of faith. As your child learns to read God’s Word, memorize, and obey it, he will then be able to grow in character.

The most important fruit we can nurture in our children is character. If our kids learn nothing but character alone, they will be better prepared for life than those who are taught pure academics, but no character.

Be sure and teach character regularly. Have a plan, and every morning after everyone has had their time in God’s Word, have a lesson on character. If things get crazy that day, and you don’t get to the academics, or only get some of them done, you will have accomplished what was most important. You can also teach character all through the day as you encourage kindness, diligence, initiative, etc.

3^rd Key to Success: Prayer

One of the most important parts of the educational process of teaching and training our children is the prayer that goes on behind the scenes. Prayer is the most important part of raising our children, because God can do what we can’t do! We need to saturate the lives of our children in prayer. I often tell parents that we need to work as though it all depends on us, but pray as though it all depends on God. We need to seek His wisdom in training our children, then use His Word to teach them, while praying the whole time that God will take that teaching of His Word, and work in their hearts!

Daily go to God in prayer, and ask Him for wisdom in your parenting and teaching. Then bring your child and his problems to Jesus in prayer. Ask God to do a mighty work in their hearts and lives. God invites us to come to Him in prayer, and we have His power available to us, but so often we fail to take advantage of it. If you haven’t already done so, may I encourage you to make a commitment to pray daily for your children? None of us can be perfect as parents, but we can all be praying parents!

Remember, the most powerful people in the world are parents of faith. Why? Because of who we have on our side. Never forget or under estimate the influence God has given you as a parent, as you teach and train your children for Him. Keep His Word as your focus, character training as a top priority, and regularly claim His power in prayer!

(Written for and published in the CHAP magazine.)