We live in a much different culture than the one our grandparents knew. Technology has changed the way we live and parent in more ways than we can imagine. Family, and family roles, have been redefined—but not spiritually.

Parents and grandparents are still the most important influence on their children’s spiritual lives, especially young children. 

The wisdom of Proverbs 6 describes the protection that God’s word can give our lives. Parents and grandparents who openly live and depend on the guidance of Scripture will teach their children to do the same. Children watch as adults bow their heads in prayer and worship, search their Bibles for answers, and choose to live according to God’s leadership. 

The way fathers and mothers live their lives will be a daily message about their need for God, and their children will be watching. We will never live perfectly obedient to God’s word, but even our mistakes can be an important sermon to our kids. When they see us ask for forgiveness and repent of a mistake or a sin, they can understand their need to do the same.  

A parent can never underestimate the genuine, honest value of a faith-filled life and witness to our children. We can provide our children with a foundation of faith that they can use to build upon for their own families. The chances are better our children will “not depart” from the faith if we consistently model our own faith-filled life, but no amount of parenting can remove the free will that God gave everyone. Our children and grandchildren will have to choose faith for themselves.

Good advice and careful instruction provide wisdom. Which child or grandchild have you been thinking about because of these words? You can live your witness for them tomorrow and pray for them right now. Jesus wants to be their Lord and Savior as much as you want that faith relationship for them.