“The proof that any model of parenting is effective is not how the parents and children get along.  It isn’t even how well they treat and respect each other after they are all grown up.  Even nonreligious families can accomplish this.  The real test of a parenting model is how well-equipped the children are to move into adulthood as vital members of the human race.”

“Nothing influences children more than watching parents live out what they believe.  That’s especially true in the area of finances.  Your kids watch how you spend money, pick up on your attitudes toward buying on credit, and observe your patterns of giving and saving.  What you do with the money must be consistent with what you say about it.  Your children are listening and watching you.”

“Children are not born morally and ethically neutral.  The Bible teaches that the heart is ‘deceitful and desperately wicked’ (Jeremiah 17:9).  The child’s problem is not an information deficit.  His problem is that he is a sinner.”

“Let’s rethink this matter of getting your children saved.  Perhaps one of the problems with this perspective is that it looks for a major spiritual event of salvation and misses the spiritual process of nurturing your children.  It is your task to faithfully teach them the ways of God.  It is the Holy Spirit’s task to work through the word of God to change their hearts. Even when the Spirit illuminates and quickens them to life, it is a life of progressive growth.”

 “Sometimes in the early teens, spiritual erosion can occur, and often there is an emotional drift towards isolation.  The teenager naturally pushes away from his parents, and if the parent allows his child to push him out of his life, the child will end up in a vulnerable place: overly influenced by peers.”

“Childhood is a time when we should move our children from a position of dependence on us to a position of independence from us and toward dependence on God.  When they are young, we protect them since they are helpless, but as they grow older, we move from protecting them to preparing them.”

“Do you see yourself as a trainer of disciples?  If not, here’s why you should: You have been called to ‘make disciples of all nations’ (Matthew 28:19).  And in making disciples, your family is your number one responsibility.”

“There are many ways to show your family that you are serious about following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, but two in particular really count: Admitting your mistakes and asking for forgiveness when you mess up in a relationship—especially with one of your children.”

Can you imagine how impervious to influence our children would be if they feared God more than they feared the rejection of their peers?  I am persuaded that the single best way for Christian parents to insulate their children against peer pressure is to teach them how to identify and dethrone the idol of man’s approval and to replace it with an intense desire for God’s approval.”

“We often view spiritual training as an event.  God expands it to include a lifestyle!  The father who has committed himself to these ideals and has placed them upon his own heart is continually looking for opportunities to teach them to his son.”

“Every young man needs a comprehensive view of life that begins with this fundamental proposition: True satisfaction in life is directly proportionate to one’s obedience to God.  In this context, moral boundaries take on a whole new perspective: They become benefits, not burdens.”

“Raising spiritually passionate kids who have a strong belief system is not formulaic.  You have to deal with a child’s abstract emotions and fickle heart.  Your children’s relationships with God can’t simply be programmed by their environment.”

“Grace-based families realize that their children will struggle with sin.  They consider it an honor to be used by God to show their children how to find true forgiveness in Christ.  They are not intimidated by the dialogue that brings the discussion of sin into the light.”

“As your children see you meeting your need for love, purpose, and hope through your abiding relationship with Christ, your example will put power and authenticity behind your words.”

“We often get too excited about the wrong things.  Sure, the touchdown or basket scored in the ball game is worth cheering.  But what should get us up for a standing ovation are those choices our children make that reveal their convictions and character.  Trophies tarnish; character doesn’t.  Character glistens.  Character is what lasts into the next generation.”