1. Place extreme importance on memorization of the Word of God. I would develop a Scripture memorization program, and make it a priority in my children’s life. My focus would be long term memorization. I would require no less than two verses per week, which would result in 500 verses in five years. Every learned verse would be quoted daily to retard long term memory loss. No doubt, some reading this thinks 500 verses is nothing at all, but I had rather have 500 verses in my children’s long term memory, than 1000 verses that would soon slip from their minds.

2. I would focus more upon instilling a work ethic as well as temperance and self-discipline into their character. Without these, our children will be unable to labor for the Lord as they should. Hudson Taylor said it best, “One may be consecrated, dedicated, and devoted, but of little value if undisciplined.”

3. I would seek to ingrain the philosophy of “early to bed” and “early to rise” into their mind and life at a young age. This is important for at least several reasons:

• This enhances self-discipline. It takes discipline to go to bed and to get up early.
• It redeems your child’s time. In most cases, the most productive thing your child can be doing after 10:00 PM is sleeping.
• It enhances separation and the shunning of evil! Let’s face it, after 10:00 PM much of what goes on in this sinful world is wicked.

Many teenagers have the idea that staying up late is “cool” but refuse to allow this myth to take root in your children’s mind.

4. I would monitor their social maturity more closely. I have seen a multitude of Christian teenagers who seem to have the social graces of a six year old. You wonder how they are going to make a living, witness to the lost, teach a Sunday School class, or sing a special in church, much less function in this wicked and evil world. Although believers are not of the world they are still in the world and must learn to effectively function there for the glory of God! Refuse to let shyness, insecurities, and fears dominate and control your children. Nudge them from their “comfort zone” for the glory of God. Help them mature socially (I’m not encouraging parents to involve their children in the world system, but only to help them to be able to function there).

5. I would place a high priority on teaching my children the importance of maintaining a godly mind set at all times, and then would follow this up by disciplining them for ungodly attitudes.

Attitude makes all the difference in the world.