Monkey See-Hear-Do
Parents/grandparents, do your children see you talking to God every morning? Do they hear you praying for them, thanking God for them, and asking for His wisdom and guidance? Do they see Christ in you? As the old saying goes, "Monkey see, monkey do!"
What you model for your child can impact their eternity ... positive or negative.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."
It's not only Monkey see, Monkey do ... it's also "Monkey hear." Children hear everything, whether we realize it or not ... whether THEY realize it or not. Keep the "grown-up" conversations and TV shows out of your child's hearing range; and keep the "teaching moment" conversations within earshot (i.e., turn on age-appropriate, encouraging TV shows, have them pray aloud with you, and let them hear you praying to the Lord.)
There is nothing more powerful that you can do for your child than to let them hear you pray!
King Solomon, a wise man, shares his observations of moral virtues, and their contrary vices, in the Book of Proverbs. It is a treasure chest of wisdom, offering practical guidance for everyday life. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs; read one chapter each day and develop a daily Bible reading habit. Then move on to reading the entire Bible over the course of one year, using a Bible reading plan.
Proverbs 1:8,10 - “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:” 10 “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”
What is a man profited, though he gain the world, if he lose his soul?
Psalms 78:4-7 - "... shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. 5... which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: 6That the generation to come might know them, ... 7That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:"
Do your children see you reading and studying your Bible, living out your purpose, reflecting God's love and truth?
Whether you know it or not, your child wants to be like you! If you don’t have children, more than likely there is some little soul that watches you … nephew, niece, your friends’ kids … they want to be like you when they grow up! So let them hear you talk to Jesus … teach them by your actions. Monkey see, hear and do!
Proverbs 22:6 - “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
The way we live our lives and conduct ourselves influences our children (and grandchildren) more than we may realize ... they are constantly listening and watching. Let them see the Jesus in you! Let them see and hear you reading the Bible and praying.
They will become who they are because of you!
3John 1:4 - “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
Soul prosperity is the greatest blessing on this side heaven. Such is the spirit of every true Christian parent.
I would much rather be the trusting child of a rich Father, than a beggar at the door of worldly men. -- Corrie ten Boom
Comments