We are now ready for the next few lessons of the “40 Lessons We Sought to Teach Our Children,” from Dennis and Barbara Rainey

Let’s look at the final ten:

1. Choices are yours to make      and results are yours to experience.
2. Respect the dignity of      another person and of all people.
3. Be faithful in the little      things.
4. Character is the basis of      all leadership.
5. Life isn’t fair—don’t      compare with or be jealous of others.
6. Live by commitments, not by      feelings.
7. Express grace and      forgiveness.
8. A strong work ethic.
9. Surrender to the authority      of Christ.
10. How to handle your finances.

One of the most difficult lessons we can teach our children is to take personal responsibility for their own lives. This is the last skill a child must learn as they become adults.  It is an essential skill.  Take a look at the ten lessons again.  Choices, respect, faithfulness, jealousy, forgiveness, work ethic, and finances all involve taking personal responsibility.  It is that responsibility that they need.  Passing the buck will eventually lead a person to believe that they are a victim instead of an overcomer.  Such a person will rarely apologize. Such a person will not look for solutions.  Instead, complaining and blaming are the rule of the day.

People who take responsibility act very differently.  They forgive.  They solve problems.  They do not believe that someone else is responsible.  They believe that they can make a difference in the lives of others.  Isn’t that what we want our children to be?  We don’t want them to let others roll over them.  We want them to be people who can make decisions.

How can our children become people who make decisions? They can become that when we encourage them to always take responsibility for what they do. If we don’t bail them out of the problems they have, if we encourage them to solve problems for themselves, and if we emphasize their role in their own successes and failures we can show them how important taking responsibility is.

Of course, the best way to help them understand taking responsibility is to model it ourselves.  So, how are you doing?  Have you surrendered to the authority of Jesus? Do you live your life with responsibility? Make it your ambition to be that responsible person.  Do it for your kids. They will be blessed by it.

Here’s to families,

Pastor John