10 Practical Qualities I Desire for My Children (from a Christian Father)

Maker:0x4c,Date:2017-12-8,Ver:4,Lens:Kan03,Act:Lar01,E-Y

Maker:0x4c,Date:2017-12-8,Ver:4,Lens:Kan03,Act:Lar01,E-Y

As a father of 8 children, ranging from 15 years old down to 3 years old, my children are constantly on my mind.  I pray for them often, disciple them constantly and spend a lot of time with them (corporately and individually). With all of this in mind, their future is on my mind quite a bit.  They are growing up so quickly and I must be mindful of their future and not get “stuck in the moment.”

Of course, my greatest joy would be that they all walk in the truth of God’s Word.  I preach the gospel to them consistently and my hope is that they all will become born again at some point in time and walk with God the rest of their lives.  Three are currently saved.  I appreciate your prayers for them all.

YET, there are practical things that I want for each of them as well.  They’re growing up before my eyes and will be adults who are out on their own, quicker than I’d like to imagine.  Since I’ve been thinking about this, I thought that I would share this with others. It might help someone else out there!  Below is a list of 10 Practical Qualities that I want all of my children to learn from me.  Of course, as I said above, first and foremost, I want them all to be successful Christians (in God’s eyes). Yet, I believe that all of these things are important as well.

They’re not in any particular order of importance.  They’re all important if you ask me. I’ve been around for over 40 years now and have been a Christian for about 21 of those years.  I pray that this list helps you to be a better parent in preparing your children to live in this world!  Remember, parents, we aren’t always going to be around.  We are raising future adults, not perpetual children!

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10 Reasons Christians Should Homeschool Their Children

Homeschooling

My wife and I have been homeschooling our children, since our oldest child was 5 years old (about 7 years, at this point).  We think that homeschooling is a necessity for Christian families, not optional.  Below are 10 of the most important reasons (in my eyes) for Christians to homeschool their children.  These aren’t necessarily in any kind of order.

1) The Bible puts a child’s learning at the responsibility of the parents, not someone else (whether private or public schools) – Deuteronomy 6:4-6 says, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.  And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”  

Regardless of your “qualifications”, YOU are responsible for the education of your children.  I understand that homeschooling seems intimidating to some people.  It really isn’t that hard!  It is a lot of fun and there are plenty of people, programs, groups and curriculum out there, to help you homeschool your children.  You may have to learn some things all over again, but that’s a good thing!  Besides, if you start early, you will only be teaching them things like ABC’s, 123’s, shapes, colors, etc.

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