How do we avoid this generational departure? Parents must pass on the fear of the LORD to their children and children's children. The Christian parent must do everything to pass on the heart and passion for the Lord as well as knowledge of the Lord's commands.

On the positive side, if we live out godly lives before our children, they will most likely pick up that passion. We must be careful to instruct them about who the Lord is and all about His ways. Neglect of this will lead to a next generation that has respect for our ways but no power.

If we live compromising lives, then we live as if we are already in the second generational stage. Our children will, for the most part, leave the Lord. They do not believe because we do not really believe. Genuine faith always touches our life's priorities. Only a false religious faith permits a division between 'belief' and life. Our children look at the goodness of our lives rather than what we say. They are right. If we do not live by what we say, then they see only our hypocrisy. This produces sad and bitter lives.

Pause for Reflection:Are you excited about what God is doing in your life? If so, have you shared it with your children. If not, do you really expect your children's zeal will be above yours?

Principle #3: Convinced of the need for God' s blessing (Deuteronomy 6:3)

O Israel, you should listen and be careful to do it, that it may be well with you and that you may multiply greatly, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. (Deuteronomy 6:3)

God's ways always bring the greatest blessing. To the degree our lives are shaped by His teaching, we are able to live by His high standards. When we carefully apply these teachings to our lives, then we see how God's promises fill our lives. Part of this blessing is material blessing. Part of it is multiplication. God wants to increase what is good. Having many children is a blessing of our LORD, which should not be hindered.

And He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb (Deuteronomy 7:13).

We will either believe our welfare is dependent upon keeping God' s Word or we will not. To the degree we obey, we will be blessed. Our goal should be to 'run' after His commands. Only in this way do we have a passionate love for God that would be worthy to transfer to the next generation.

Principle #4: Undivided loyalty to Yahweh (LORD) (Dt. 6:4-5)

Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

Since the Lord is one, we must not divide our affections between Him and something else. If there were several gods, then our loyalty would be divided. Since He is one, all of our devotion, inspiration and strength must be used to do all that He says. His words take a priority in our lives. God is asking, even demanding, that we take all of our work, family, and personal plans and re-work them so that He becomes the center of our lives. A doctor, for example, should give up his occupation if he is required to do abortions. He should not murder. The commitment to life requires him to help not hurt people.

Jesus told us that we could only love Him or wealth (mammon) (Matthew 6:24). If a family worships money, then their decisions will be made with those prior commitments in mind. In the end, we will only prioritize one God. We need to commit to serving the LORD Yahweh as a family. This decision sets our family apart from others. This is important to communicate to our children.

Pause for Reflection: Is God your life priority? If things got real bad like Job, would you give up God?

Principle #5: Devoted to His Word (Deuteronomy 6:6)

And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. Deuteronomy (6:6)

We fool ourselves if we think that we can raise our children to become godly men and women without having a passion for God and His Word ourselves. His words must be on our heart. We can judge our commitment by discerning how much time we spend keeping God' s Word fresh on our hearts and minds. When we do spend time in His Word, is it because we desire His Word or because we are obligated to. We do go through ups and downs in our spiritual life, but the real test is how much we really love God through all those times.

Pause for Reflection: How many times do you as the father meditate on God's Word through the week?

The BFF Family Library has all the Biblical Parenting Principles for Toddlers materials in printable form as well as the available Powerpoint slideshows and handouts for each session. Click the Library for more information. The many practical training materials supplied on this one Library can't be found elsewhere. More info.