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Program Notes or Transcript

What is the most important part of a relay race?  The start or the finish?  Stay tuned to Take Five for the answer.  Hi this is Doug Flemming, with another edition of Take Five, brought to you by the Church of the Nazarene.  We are in the midst of a series based on Joe White’s book, “Faith Training.”  The book looks at life and parenting from an athletic perspective.  Now to give you a third tip on becoming a successful faith trainer, and to answer the question I asked earlier, In track and field the most crucial point in the relay race is….the baton pass.  A successful relay team is consistent in the way they pass the baton, every time.  They work together and practice the pass over and over until it becomes habit.  So, the question for us parents, those of us who want to be faith trainers, those of us who want to pass on the Christian faith to our children, the question is:  what habits are you practicing in front of your kids.  Are you being a good example for your kids?  Are you modeling the Christian life?  Are you practicing what you preach?  Christianity is more caught than taught.  Our kids will not learn from our words nearly as much as they will learn from our actions.  For example, if my wife and I speak politely, respectfully to one another then our kids will learn respect for one another.  If our kids see us spending time in prayer and Bible study, then they too will learn to pray.  I they hear me asking for forgiveness when I fail, they too will be more humble.   On the other hand, if I’m harsh, my kids will be harsh.  If I disregard traffic laws, my children will not respect the law.  If I watch dirty movies or look at smutty magazines, my kids will follow that example.  Here is the key point in faith training:  Sons and daughters take their cues from their fathers and mothers.  If parents live with a clear conscience, they will too. Faith training requires that a parent live with consistency and integrity. 

Today’s Music: I Want to Be Just Like You, Phillips, Craig and Dean

Can you honestly and confidently say to your kids, “do what I do…follow my example”? That’s living with integrity and consistency.  This was the key to St. Paul’s success with disciples like Timothy. Paul could honestly say, “follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.”  If you want to successfully coach your kids, to pass on the faith of Christ to them, you too much live a consistent live before them.   It’s never too late to start begin a faith trainer. Begin today!