If you are going to Parent without Regret, it starts with you realizing that YOU are the largest influencer in your child’s life. They won’t magically grow up to be better than you are, you help form them into someone that is better than you are!

Model Priorities

You need to keep Jesus first in your life. That means caring more about what He thinks
than anyone else in your life. If you’re married, your spouse comes second. Then, your kids need to see you prioritizing them above the rest of the people in your life.

Model Prayer

Luke 11:1
When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

Prayer doesn’t just happen, it’s taught and it’s caught.

Before you have kids, pray for them constantly! When you have kids, pray with them often:

• pray before bed
• pray for physical healing when they get hurt
• pray against their fear
• pray for their future spouse with them
  
  

Model Time with Jesus

If they don’t see you spending time with Jesus every day, they’ll think that’s something you want them to do, but aren’t doing yourself. If you want them to be disciplined in their walk with Jesus,
you need to be modeling it for them. If you aren’t faithful in the little things, they won’t be either.

• Spend time with Jesus in front of them.
• Tell them what He’s teaching you.
• Invite them to worship with you.
• Invite them to study the Bible with you.
  
  

Model Obedience

Teach kids to obey, “Cheerfully, quickly, and completely.” If you don’t obey God that way, they won’t do it with you now, and they definitely won’t do it with God later.
Always obey what God says first.

Also, model sharing Jesus, at home and on the mission field!

Model Community

Life Group is where you live out your faith, and teach your kids to be reliant on others around you. If you’re not in community like that, you are robbing your kids of what the church is really supposed to be!

Model Forgiveness

Forgive the people around you, and model deep compassion and mercy for others.

Ephesians 4:30-32
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Model Work Ethic

Show a healthy work ethic, and teach them why are you are doing the things you’re doing.

“We viewed chores as an opportunity to teach our kids to be great family members, college. Roommates, future spouses, and employees.”

This teaches them to fight entitlement, and help them be productive members of society. Be someone who does things intentionally, has clear set goals in your life, and share those goals with your kids and help them set their own too.

Model Finances and Generosity

Give to the church, give for kingdom causes like missions and non-profit support in the city… Be the loving and giving person you want your kids to be.

• Living within your means
• Don't model being crushed by debt
• Learn to be content with what you have

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.

… You start by doing the hard work of MODELING it!