How can you travel a path that is hidden,
unless you’ve a guide or someone who’s ridden
that way before you?
The majority of the things we know, we’ve been taught by someone else. And while experience is the best teacher, in our “educated society,” most of what we know, we’ve been taught by another person.
The best teacher for your child is you!
Your child thinks like you (or at least someone you know well), they have learning tendencies the same way you did… and you have the same basic understanding of how the world works, because before they had any choices of their own, they were “weaned” in your house.
For the last 4 posts we’ve been talking about C.A.S.T. ing your love on your children. The “C” in the acronym stands for making a Connection with them. Then I gave some suggestions giving your Attention to your kids, which is the “A” in the acronym. We then looked at Storytelling, the “S,” as a way of engaging and building relationship with them. Today we will finish the acronym with the “T,” Training.
Good News! God commanded dads to train their children, and therefore he will give you the strength, wisdom, and tools to do so if you seek them:
Psalm 78:5 says, “He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children…”
Like the above verse, a testimony and a law has been passed on to you, whether by your father or by way of others God has put in your life, he commands you as a father to teach your children.
Remember there is not a condition to this commandment. Someone with the gift of teaching is an individual who has the ability to instruct a variety of personalities and learning types; someone who can communicate specifically to the audience that is in front of them. I want to encourage you, that the second part of that statement is true of you, because God has not called you to teach a variety of learning types, the specific audience that you are commanded to teach is just like you! or at least half like you! (and guess what the other half is like your wife! – yet another reason children need both parents involved in their lives on a regular basis – it’s like He plans this stuff!)
Teaching your children doesn’t mean you need to hold lectures the second Tuesday of every month. In fact, it’s better if you don’t. Think about your education… nobody liked lectures except for the professor. It’s true for your children too, especially the boys. Boys listen and respond better to small consistent chunks. It’s you, being who you are, consistently in front of them and – don’t miss this – pointing out why you do what you do.
Deuteronomy 6:7 says, “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Think about these opportunities to teach your children:
- Teachable Moments
a. Any time during your interaction with the child that can be used as an object lesson
b. Any time your child asks a specific question, but you know there is more to it than they are letting on – take that time to explain the whole picture
c. Any opportunity that you have to be alone with your child can be used to engage in an activity that will build them up in mind, body, and/or soul.
d. Do you seize those moments? - Why You Do What You Do
a. When you make a choice, tell them what motivated that choice.
b. Like-wise, when you like a certain movie, or song, let them know why.
c. When they ask why (calmly, and after obedience) tell them your reasoning, so they can discern similar choices in their future
d. When you are wrong, confess it to them, and let them know your heart
e. Do your children know why dad does ‘thus and so?’ - More is Caught than Taught
a. The truth is they will learn more from what they see, than what you say
b. Teach them in the way you live your life every day
c. And when you mess up, tell them so, and ask for their forgiveness (if it’s against them) or let them know that you’ve made it right (if it’s against someone else).
d. Are they watching a good example? - Use What You Know
a. You are good at something!
b. Have them join you in what you like
c. They will enjoy being with you, and you’ll have ample opportunities to pour into them.
“WE ARE MEN OF ACTION…”
Dad… I want to challenge you! Intentionally train each of your children this weekend! Seek out teachable moments, be the man you want them to be (or seek), explain your choices, and don’t feel like you have to be anything more than what God has already made you to be – use what you know.
You can do it! C.A.S.T. Your love upon your children today!