Train Your Child From Infancy

INCULCATE THE TRUTH IN YOUR CHILD

The quality of a building depends largely on the sort of materials used in the structure.  The apostle Paul said that the best construction materials for Christian personalities are "gold, silver, precious stones."  (1 Corinthians 3:10-12) These represent  qualities such as faith, wisdom, discernment, loyalty, respect, and loving appreciation for Jehovah and his laws.  (Psalm 19:7-11; Proverbs  2:1-6; 3:13, 14) How can parents help their children from earliest childhood to develop these qualities?  By following a procedure outlined long ago.

Shortly before the nation of Israel entered the Promised Land, Jehovah told Israelite parents:  "These  words that I am commanding you today must prove to be in your heart; and you must inculcate them in your son and speak of them when  you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up."  (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7) ( Note: It also should be inculcated into your daughter, everyone should be taught truth.) Yes, parents need to be examples, companions, and teachers. 

Be an example: First, Jehovah said:  "These words . . . must prove to be on your heart."  Then he added:  "You must inculcate them into your son."  So godly qualities must be first in the parent's heart.  The parent must love the truth and live by it. Only then can he reach the child's heart.   (Proverbs 20:7)   Why? Because children are influenced more by what they see than what they hear. -Luke 6:40; 1 Corinthians 11:1)  

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From the book: The Secret of FAMILY HAPPINESS