Parenting as Values Transmission

I've been thinking about how my kids will remember me or if they'll remember me at all lately. It's striking how many seek to leave their mark on their children. Some act as of they'll be remembered for their fame and achievements. Others seek to lay out a code by which their family will operate-compelling their children to live by it or fail as if life were that simple. Still many drive their children to follow after their own pre-chosen interests, not realizing the reverse effect will more than likely be the case.
Personally, I believe Biblically our call isn't to be super-parents but rather nurturers, who transmit what God cherishes to our children. With God permeating their hearts and minds; our children are more than likely to hold dearly to the values we've lived.
As we transmit values, it is so important that we steer clear of telling our children what to believe and how to live. A safe way to ensure we walk carefully is to use the Bible as our roadmap for values transmission.

And these words which I am commanding you this day shall be [first] in your [own] minds and hearts; [then] You shall whet and sharpen them so as to make them penetrate, and teach and impress them diligently upon the [minds and] hearts of your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets (forehead bands) between your eyes. And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9 AMP)

Values for transmission

The sanctity of life

It's a gift to be cherished and used wisely. It's a lease that is given and taken by God at will.

The nobility of marriage

It's a place where interpersonal growth is heightened and sexual release is attained. It's not every one's calling but the calling of most.

The import of purity

We're to be holy as he is holy. Holiness embraces and emulates, who God is-beautiful, holy, blameless (no stick).

The primacy of relationship with God

Our time in GOD'S word and persistence in prayer should direct in how perceive and relate to others.

The benefit of hard work

Work isn't sinful or not noble but beneficial to us and others. We will work in the kingdom to come.

The duty of personal responsibility

We're to filter the things we do, think, and say through our relationship with God. It helps us prevent crash landings.

The joy of living

Life was not only designed for duty but for personal fulfillment and enjoyment too. We're to work well but enjoy within limits life for the beautiful thing it is.

The onus of selflessness

Keep the needs of the kingdom and others primary. Don't neglect your own needs though, managing our own post keeps us real and exemplary to others.

The opportunity of love

Loving others helps moves us into the humble life, training us to better accept, cherish, and relate to others not for what they have to give but who they are-fearfully, wonderfully made individuals.


I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it. ~Harry S. Truman

Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands. ~Anne Frank