“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
– Psalm 119:11 (NIV)
If you want your children to be guided morally when they are beyond your reach and after they are grown, you should begin teaching favorite Bible passages to them when they are young. It is amazing how often a relevant Scripture reference zings to the surface just when a situation comes up that requires wisdom and discernment. If those verses have not been “downloaded” to our brains, we will have to figure out what to do based on our own limited understanding.
Memorize key Scriptures with your children, make a game out of the process, and reward them for learning these passages. Some of the stored verses will stay with them for a lifetime, and even if the exact words are forgotten, the truths they contain remain alive and will be remembered.
Music is a wonderful tool for teaching the Scriptures. Introduce your girls and boys to an array of songs that contain biblical concepts and stories. You can begin with “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak, but He is strong.” Being a traditionalist myself, I prefer songs that have endured for many years. Past generations of children have sung them with their parents. You may prefer more contemporary music, of course, but just be sure that your children grow up with the lyrics and stories of the Christian faith. Then get your girls and boys into a strong church that preaches the Word of God and will help you “bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
From Dr. James Dobson’s book, Bringing Up Girls.
