“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to 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. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” – Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (ESV)
Cultivating a love of the Lord in our children’s hearts is an important part of our role as parents. And while instructing them in God’s Word is an integral part of that nourishment, we also need to remember that our children watch and emulate our words and actions as well. The best way to raise God-loving, respectful, humble, giving children is to live our own lives that way. Do you show your children the light of Christ each day, or is it “Do what I say, not what I do”?
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
Great encouragement! We need to teach our children about Christ but we also need to lead by example.
Yes, we need to teach our children by word and actions. Sometimes it is easy to forget children learn so fast by seeing our actions whether good or bad so whatever we do should show the love, faithfulness, and obedience to God. Thanks for the great reminder.
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 This is the way I want to live.
Phil,
This is great, while it is important that we teach children to love the Lord, it is equally as important to live it out, because they are watching and they will more likely do as we do, not as we say.
Blessings to you Phil.