Godly parenting isn't just teaching, it's ...

As I counsel people who are hurting, I often hear from parents whose children are destroying their lives.

Sometimes, the parents sitting in front of me are committed Christians. They are the real deal. They take their walk with Jesus seriously. But, in spite of their godly lives, their children chose to reject the ways of God.

However, in many cases, the parents sitting in front of me are part of the problem. Essentially, they are grieving over consequences that they brought on themselves.

Your children hear what you say but your actions speak much louder. They see you go to church but they watch you at home when church friends have left. They watch to see if you really believe what you are saying.

If when you are around other Christians at church you behave in a way that isn't consistent with how you act when only your children are watching, they'll come to think that you are simply a hypocrite and/or that Christianity is just a farce.

They see the commands of Scripture and then they watch you. They see if you take complete obedience to God's Word seriously or if it's all just a show.

They hear you say that Christianity isn't a religion, it's a relationship. But, then they watch you to see if you are enjoying that relationship or if you see Christianity as just a set of rules.

The odds are that children will not take seriously something that their parents don't take seriously.

If you desire for your children and grandchildren to choose to follow Jesus, then show them in your speech and your life that you are wholeheartedly committed to Jesus. Show them that it is so much better of an option than any other life pursuit. Speak of God's Word ... and LIVE it when you are at church, at home or when you think no one else is watching.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (New Living Translation)

"And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up."