Checklist for Parents

Checklist for Parents

Examples will teach the kids something that would stay with them much longer than any talk can give. The kids are watching our lives and learning from the choices we made.

Concept 1. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart” (Mark 12:30)

___        Is your child learning the love of God through the love, tenderness, and mercy of his parents? (Most important)

___        Is he learning to talk about the Lord and to include Him in his thoughts and plans?

___        Is he learning to ask Jesus for help whenever he is frightened or anxious or lonely?

___        Is he learning to read the Bible?

___        Is he learning to pray?

___        Is he learning the meaning of faith and trust?

___        Is he learning the joy of the Christian way of life?

___        Is he learning the beauty of Jesus’ birth and death?

Concept 2. “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31)

___        Is he learning to understand and empathize with the feelings of others?

___        Is he learning not to be selfish and demanding?

___        Is he learning to share?

___        Is he learning how to be kind to others?

___        Is he learning to accept himself?

Concept 3. “ Teach me to do your will, for you are my God” (Psalm 143:10)

___        Is he learning to obey his parents as preparation for later obedience to God? (Most important)

___        Is he learning to behave properly in Church – God’s house?

___        Is he learning a healthy appreciation for both aspects of God’s nature: love and justice?

___        Is he learning to cooperate with and submit to authorities outside of self: parents, teachers, police, et cetera?

___        Is he learning the meaning of sin and its inevitable consequences?

Concept 4. “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

___        Is he learning to be truthful and honest?

___        Is he learning to keep the Sabbath day holy?

___        Is he learning the relative insignificance of materialism?

___        Is he learning the meaning of the Christian family and the faithfulness to it that God intends?

Concept 5. “But the fruit of the Spirit is … self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23)

___        Is he learning to give a portion of his allowance (and other money) to God?

___        Is he learning to control his impulses?

___        Is he learning to work and carry responsibility?

___        Is he learning to tolerate minor frustrations?

___        Is he learning to memorize and quote Scripture?

Concept 6. “He who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11)

___        Is he learning to be appreciative?

___        Is he learning to thank God for the good things in his life?

___        Is he learning to forgive and forget?

___        Is he learning the vast difference between self-worth and egoistical pride?

___        Is he learning to bow reverently before the God of the Universe?

- Taken from Dr. James & Shirley Dobson Book - Night Light for Parents