Be involved in your children’s lives knowing that they will catch what you’ve got, including your worldview. In his book “Deep & Wide”, Andy Stanley identifies worldview as a key determinant in how we respond to pivotal circumstances in life. It determines whether we interpret significant events, be they positive or negative, in a way that draws us closer to God or pushes us away from God. As dads, we are responsible for being involved spiritually in our children’s lives in order to pass on a Christian worldview.

Tips to be involved spiritually in your family:

1. Attend church together as a family each week;
2. Lead spiritual discussions during the week - the sermon topic from Sunday is a good start;
3. Conduct a family devotion time each week around a passage of scripture. (utilize Devotions for Dads as a resource or visit the Colson Center for Christian Worldview);
4. Pray together as a family allowing each member to lift up specific concerns or praises for the week.

Dad, as you work to be more involved spiritually in the family, you will equip your children with a Christian worldview and be a hero in their eyes.

Click on comment to share how you are, or can be more involved spiritually in your home.

When a dad is consistent in his children’s lives, there are powerful payoffs: Boys are usually well-adjusted, intellectually oriented and have stable relationships; Girls usually show more self-assurance and vitality, less anxiety and do not conform to stereotypes.

Tips to work on consistency in your:

1. Schedule - be home from work at a regular time; communicate when work hits an irregular cycle; put key events on your calendar and be there as often as possible; eat dinner together as a family at least five times a week.
2. Moods - leave work at work; engage emotionally by listening well in the home; identify specific triggers for frustration and keep anger in check.
3. Relationships – nurture a personal and passionate relationship with Jesus the Christ through time in prayer, scripture, worship and study of His word; reflect that relationship in marriage, family and beyond; establish “battle buddies” that will encourage you on this road to greater consistency.

As you work to be more consistent in your schedule, moods and relationships, you will be a hero in your children’s eyes. 

Share a comment on how you are, or can be consistent in your children's lives.

Recent studies indicate that only 7% of communication is verbal. No wonder we struggle so to hear what is being said!

Here are some tips to work on listening well to your kids:

1. Physical posture – keep an open posture; be on their eye-level; and pay attention to their posture and tone of voice;
2. Emotional engagement – turn off other noise and tune in to the discussion; clarify meaning of statements made; label emotional words that communicate anger or hurt; and validate the emotion expressed;
3. Spiritual grounding – prayerfully invite God into the discussion before, during and after the dialogue; and reference applicable scripture to keep opinions in perspective;
4. One-on-one time - schedule regular time with each child to practice active listening; dating your daughter or taking your son out for ice cream are great ways to work on listening well.

As you work to listen well, relationships will be strengthened and you will become a hero in your children’s eyes. 

New Year’s resolutions can lead to more discouragement than encouragement. In follow up to last week’s RESOLUTION, I want you to be ENCOURAGED!

Be Encouraged:

… that you are a child of God, an heir of God and co-heir with Christ. (Romans 8:17). As such, He has you exactly where He wants you. Honor Him in every situation, discussion, decision and relationship you face;

… that the Heavenly Father shares the moniker “father” with you for a reason – you are His representative in your home;

… through the valleys that are part of the journey for you as well as your wife and kids. Take heart that the Lord is at work in those valleys. (Romans 5:3-5 & 8:28);

… that glimpses of His glory will be granted through the eyes and hugs of your kids. Be sensitive to those and praise the Lord every day for the blessing of children;

… that you are a faithful father – a dad that prioritizes physical presence, is engaged emotionally and leads spiritually by example.

If God is for us, who can be against us! (Romans 8:31)

 Be ENCOURAGED and “Give ‘em Heaven!” throughout this New Year.