10 Virtues That Will Help Our Kids Overcome.
This blog post comes from this past week’s sermon, Reaching the Remnant ~ wk4 ~ Decorated With Sprinkles.
Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were “…10 times better than all those around them.” Not only did they not succumb to the pressures of the worldliness around them, but their influence has also reached from generation to generation and still impacts us today. This is what we want for our children.
Here are 10 virtues that will set your children apart from the world and set them up to have great influence to the world around them!
1. HUMILITY
Let’s teach our kids how to value others above ourselves and call-out behavior that is rooted in pride.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.
2. RESPECT
Let’s teach our kids how to honor their elders and peers by interacting with kindness and call-out every ill-mannered behavior.
Ephesians 5:21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
3. PATIENCE
Let’s teach our kids the value of waiting, and call-out whining about not getting what they want when they want it.
James 4:1-2 What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? You crave what you do not have.
4. FORGIVENESS
Let’s teach our kids that holding on to grudges harms them more than it does their offender, and call-out any unwillingness to extend grace.
2 Corinthians 2:7 You should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
5. COMPASSION
Let’s teach our kids how to help and encouragement those who are hurting and call-out judgmental behaviors that keep them from reaching out with love.
Matthew 9:13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.
6. DILIGENCE
Let’s teach our kids to treat every task as an opportunity to please God and call-out every form of laziness and negativity toward hard work.
Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men.
7. CONTENTMENT
Let’s teach our kids how to have peace and joy when life is not exactly how we hope it to be and call them out when they complain about their situation.
Philippians 4:11-12 I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
8. HONESTY
Let’s teach our kids to tell the truth even when it hurts and to call-out every type of deceptive behavior.
Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
9. GENEROSITY
Let’s teach our kids to freely give of themselves and their treasures and call-out stingy and selfish behavior.
Proverbs 11:24-25 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
10. COURAGE
Let’s teach our kids to face their fears head on and call-out them out when they are letting their emotions rule their decision.
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
PRAYER:
God, I pray these virtues over my children today. I ask that Your Holy Spirit would override my flesh and empower me to live out these virtues myself and instill them into the heart of my kids. Thank You for Your faithfulness and that Your Word always accomplishes what it goes forth to do. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of my family’s hearts ever please to You!
Amen