[831 words]
“As a father, if my words did not correspond to my actions, that which I taught was more in what I did than in what I said (cf. principle of Titus 2.9-10).” — Ron Thomas, Chillicothe, OH
“Don’t forget to teach/show grace. Discipline and training is vitally important, but so is grace. I heard a preacher tell a story about a time when one of his children had merited a spanking. Instead, without announcing his intent, he loaded up his daughter in the car and drove straight to Wendy’s. He ordered her a frosty. Before handing it to her, he explained to her the concept of God’s grace…that though we were yet sinners and ungodly, Christ died for us. I am sure that must have been a lasting memory. We are the first picture of authority to our children, what are we teaching them about God?” — Dan Chaney, Ocala, FL
“Show them the glory of God, and teach them the meaning of real love by your words and your actions.” — Gantt Carter, Elk City, OK
“As someone who never had a father, be there. The importance of your influence as a strong Christian in the home can’t be overstated or overvalued. When things get tough, you show your family what it means to rely on Christ and react the way he does.” — Matt Post, Morrilton, AR
“Love their mother. Make it your priority that she is able to make it her priority to be their mother. Nourish her and cherish her, that is, dress her and keep her, that is, provide for her and and protect her.” — Bill Boyd, Morrison, TN
“Don’t be cruel. Paul said it best, ‘Train your children up in nurture.’ Be fair, but also show grace. Take advantage of each bonding time you have with them. Don’t be in such a hurry to make them grow up.” — Stephen Scaggs, Collinsville, VA
“Servant Leadership. Be the man you want your sons to be and your daughters to marry.” — G. Scott Furniss, Purcell, OK
“Show your children you mean what you say. It you tell them, “You’re going to get a spanking if you do that again,” and then you don’t follow through, they learn that you don’t really mean what you say, and you’ve begun their training towards a life of disobedience. However, if you follow through, they will be better behaved, have better respect for authority, and a higher regard for the word of the heavenly Father, whose example we are emulating.” — Bradley Cobb, Charleston, AR
“Teach them to love their spouses unconditionally as they see your love for your wife. Teach them that you are one whom they can trust and talk with. Play with them like a child, be silly, have fun, and show them the love of Christ. Show mercy in your discipline. Show love in your correction. Above all, show them your love for God through prayer and exalting God in your words and actions.” – Jesse Nelsen, Lenoir City, TN
“Be the kind of person you want them to become.” – Robert Prater, Tulsa, OK
“Put your children third. Always make them aware by your words and deeds that God comes first before all others. This sets the right example for them to pattern and will help them to see your devotion to the Lord in all things (Matt 6:33). Second in importance is their mother. Many have this backward and place the kids first over the spouse. This only creates problems between husband and wife and once the kids are grown the gaps can be so far that many give up. It also shows the kids that your marriage is highly valued and you honor commitment and your significant other. Third comes the kids and you must show them they are more important than all the other things that this world has to offer except for the two things mentioned above. If we keep things in this priority order it should work out in our own lives and we have built a foundation to help our future generations to achieve the same success.” — Caleb Sampson, Milburn, NE
“I’ve always told my kids they can tell me the truth, about anything. There may be consequences for telling the truth, but there’s nothing we can’t face together.” – Scott D. Crawford, Birmingham, AL
“Show your child that’s it’s more important to be seen by others as someone who is compassionate and full of grace than it is to be seen as someone who is always right in an argument. People connect with a compassionate and graceful person more than they do someone who insists they’re always right.” – Mike Swims, Demopolis, AL
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’ – Ted Okolichany Jasper, FL
“If you pay more attention to Facebook and your phone than you do to them today, then don’t complain when they pay more attention to Facebook and their iPhone than they do to you tomorrow.” – Mike Swims, Demopolis, AL
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