As I think of what is most important about training your children, I can’t help but think that shaping their hearts is the most important thing a parent could do.
Why is this so important?
Because what is in our hearts comes from what we think; what we believe. And what we think/believe determines what we say, what we do and who we become. So as we teach our children the right way to think, we are shaping their hearts.
It begins with what they think about God
The most important thing about any human being is what they believe about God. God is THE REALITY of this world and every thing else falls into place under Him (Colossians 1:16-18).
So it seems a natural conclusion that from the very beginning of raising our children, we need to be teaching them the truth about God. He is the truth and therefore the only way to real life (John 14:6).
If we want them to have true love, joy and peace in their lives… if we want them to love God with their whole heart ( Matthew 22:37-38)… then there is no other way than to teach them who God is, what He thinks of them, and what He thinks about everything else in the world.
Examples from my own parenting journey
I started out teaching my children about God when they were very young. Here are some examples:
- When we would see beautiful trees or other nature, I would tell the kids that God made what they were seeing.
- I would also tell them all the different ways that God loves them.
- I would teach them what He thinks of them when they obey or disobey, or when they are playing or working.
It is important that we ALWAYS make the truth of God personal to our kids. This will help them to see God as personal, and to know His thoughts, which reveals His heart.
I would also tell my children what God thought of the people that they saw on the street, or what he thought about their sister or their friends. In doing this, our children begin to develop a world view… the real world view, from God’s perspective.
Getting to your child’s heart means shaping their thoughts.
In teaching them God’s thoughts, you are giving your children a great advantage. They are learning to think like God and eventually, live as God would have them.
Our job as Christian parents is to teach our children truth so that they will come to believe truth. As they grow, they will know truth, speak truth, and live truth!
Guide your children in how to think and you will be guiding their hearts. Guide them to God, who is Truth, and that Truth will set them free!
John 8:32
“…and you will know the truth,
and the truth will set you free.”
Share your thoughts below… what are the most difficult aspects for you in shaping your child’s heart?
by 
I believe it was Pink who said that the most important thing for a man is how he sees God. That colors and determines everything else about his life.
Loren Pinilis – I heard the same type of quote attributed to A.W. Tozer… either way, it’s true as true can be.
I know and believe God has given us our children for a short time to influence and instruct them to live for His purposes. The most difficult thing I find in shaping their hearts is separating my emotions from the instruction — especially when it is in an area that needs repetitive instruction. I know this is my call as a mother but I often get weary and lose perspective, resulting in impatient tones when instructing. I am praying for wisdom and strength in learning how to teach my children in a loving and patient manner.
nelsontricia23 I think that’s a struggle for all of us Tricia. It helps me to know that I can (and should) always go back to my child when I realize that I’ve sinned against them by expressing impatience (or something else I shouldn’t have). I can make things right through repentance and a time of closeness together. It does their hearts great good to see us humble like that.