“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). An anonymous “proverb” says, “The best way for a man to train up a child in the way he should go is to travel that way himself.”

How do your children see you? Do they see you angry, watching R-rated movies, being mean to your wife, or other people? The Law of Moses declared, “Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons …” (Deuteronomy 4:9). Parents have a high standard to which to attain if they are going to raise good children.

Samuel was good example of what parents need to be for their children. He said, “And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day. Behold, here I am: witness against me before the Lord, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you” (1 Samuel 12:2-3). Remember, your light needs to shine, not only among the public, but also among your children (Matthew 5:13-16).

Can your children can see God’s goodness in you? Because Abraham was a faithful man (Romans 4:3), God knew he would do well with his family (Genesis 18:19). Any parent can rise to the occasion, but it sure is easier if you have traveled that path before.

Kyle Campbell