Parenting From The Source

Self-control, a characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), is evident by its absence in many today. Although, adolescence is typically a time when self-control is at its lowest, there are ways to prepare teens to use restraint in the decisions they make. The Consequence of No Self-Control A high school senior sat [...]

Gentleness, a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), might seem out of place in our brusque, twenty-first century world. However, when Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians, the world was no less harsh than today. Perhaps it’s that very harshness that makes a gentle spirit so valued. Teaching Gentleness to a Toddler A toddler [...]

Faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) that our children learn about through their relationship with us. How do we teach children to have faith in a God they cannot see?  We first teach them to have faith in someone they can see—their parents. Faithfulness Learned from A Parent Who Can Be Trusted [...]

Goodness, a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), can also be called righteousness or moral excellence. What does that look like in a child, and how do we guide our children to embrace goodness? Goodness at Age Three Emma and Madison, three-year-old friends, are playing with their dolls while their mothers visit nearby. Emma reaches [...]

Kindness in children is a joy to observe. A three-year-old generously shares her toys with a visiting friend. A fourth-grader joins a handicapped classmate in the cafeteria, because she’s at a table by herself. A sophomore stops in a crowded hallway to help a fellow student pick up the books he dropped. Kindness is a Fruit [...]

Teaching patience to a child is a challenge. When my grandson was two, he began impatiently watching for his PaPa’s return from the farm almost as soon as the pickup was out of sight. When a two-year-old waits six months for Christmas, he’s waiting one fourth of the lifetime he’s lived up to that point. [...]

“The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 I had three grandchildren with me recently. Their ages range from four to seven, and I can describe them with two words: High Energy. As with my own children years ago, I wish it were possible to open [...]

How do we teach our children joy? Does Joy Come from Possessions? The young family arriving on the beach was not happy. They climbed out of a new SUV with third-row seating, a DVD player for both back seats, and a roof rack full of surfboards. Their clothes, even though they would soon be soaked [...]

How do children learn to love? Sally stood by the window watching Ava comfort her little brother. Because it was spring, the windows were open welcoming the cool morning breezes into the house. She could hear her daughter’s words, “Don’t cry, Josh. It’ll be okay. I’ll give you some of my candy.” She put her arm [...]

What a heavy responsibility parenting is! Not only are we responsible for our children’s food, clothing, shelter, and safety, but intentionally or not, we mold their character. We determine if our children’s character is centered on the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22) or the “fruit of the world.” It’s easy to teach worldly characteristics [...]