MODELING OUR FAITH
How will they know unless you show them the way?
“The things you have learned and received, and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace will be with you.” ”
One day the Holy Spirit told Philip to run up and join a man who was traveling along in his “chariot”, or carriage.
As he did, he heard the man reading from a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
His response was simple: “Well, how could I unless someone guides me?” (Acts 8:29-31)
Mom and Dad, it’s your privilege to love your children, yes, but it’s also your responsibility to guide them in the way they are to go.
Paul told the Philippians:
“The things you have learned and received, and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil. 4:9)
We need to teach our kids how to love God with passion, and how to love people on purpose, beginning right in our own homes.
But there’s something even more powerful than teaching.
It’s called modeling.
Here’s why: Values are caught more than they are taught.
Mom and Dad, the way you live your life in front of your kids is the most powerful sermon you’ll ever preach to them!
Because: “A parent’s life is a child’s guidebook”
You’re teaching them something every waking hour of every single day; either for good or for evil, by the way you live.
When it comes to raising passionate Jesus followers, you can’t pass on what you don’t possess.
Pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie put it this way:
“Nothing can really happen through us until it has first happened to us”
Are you a passionate Jesus follower?
Is there anything that needs to change in your life today, so the answer to that question is a resounding “yes”?
If so, take that step of obedience. Make that change! Do it for your own sake and, even more importantly, for the sake of your children.
You can draw close to him right now, this very moment! And as you do, He promises to draw close to you. (James 4:8)
Your kids need to hear about Jesus, yes.
And they need to learn about Him, absolutely.
But more importantly, they need to see what it looks like to follow Jesus closely and love Him deeply.
But, “How will they know unless someone guides them?”
You be their guide Mom and Dad. And point them to the One who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6)
Phil