Introducing Your Child to Lifelong Habits
Danielle Murphy
October 21, 2024
“Observe my Sabbaths and have reverence for my sanctuary. I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:30, NIV)
Recently I found myself in a discussion with our kids about the electronics that run rampant in our church. They had mentioned how they had noticed during corporate prayer the sound of a kid’s electronic device, and at other times kids sitting on the steps during worship to play their games or watch videos. It is true that our church is located right in the middle of an impoverished area, and many come who have not been raised in the church, but isn’t it our responsibility to show them what is pleasing and acceptable to the Lord?
Dear mother, do you find yourself consoling your child with electronics when you should be training them to be good listeners instead? Are they made to pay attention to pray and worship and respect it?
Years ago, I read the wise advice to do all of your training with your children at home. So if you find your kids misbehaving when you go out to eat, you should be making it a point to be working on good meal habits at home every day. Likewise, if your children are on their electronics all of the time at home, how could you not expect them to do the same when they are out in public? Dear parents, it is your job alone to introduce your child to lifelong habits that will bring them success. A child left to his own brings his mother to shame Proverbs 29:15 says. And the Lord chastises those who he loves and receives as sons (Proverbs 3:11-12). If you love your child, you should delight in teaching them behaviors that honor both God and man. I charge you today to take your responsibility as a parent over your child seriously.