Checklist for the Spiritual Nurturing of Children

A checklist for parents — a set of targets at which to aim — is included in the next few pages. Many of the items require maturity which children lack, and we should not try to make adult Christians out of our immature youngsters. But we can gently nudge them toward these goals — these targets — during the impressionable years of childhood.

Essentially, the six scriptural concepts that follow provide the foundation on which all future doctrine and faith will rest. They comprise, in effect, the substance of the conscience. Christian parents can use these six concepts as broad guidelines in the nurturing of their children.

Concept I — Love the Lord your God with all your heart (Mark 12:30).
___Is your child learning of 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 turn to 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 II — 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 III — 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, policemen, etc.?
___Is he learning the meaning of sin and its inevitable consequences?

Concept IV — Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man (Eccles. 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 which God intends?

Concept V — 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 frustration?
___Is he learning to memorize and quote Scripture?

Concept VI — He who humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 14:11).
___Is he learning a sense of appreciation?
___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 egotistical pride?
___Is he learning to bow reverently before the God of the universe?

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Excerpted from Emotions: Can You Trust Them? by Dr. James Dobson. Copyright © 1975 by Gospel Light Communications. Published by Regal Books. Excerpt may not be reproduced without the prior consent of the publisher.

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