• Actions:
• download this podcast,
• subscribe in iTunes,
• RSS feed,
• comments (0)

Program Notes or Transcript

Kid:  “I’m bored…there’s nothing to do!” 

Parent: “Well, just play a game or something…or read a book!”

Kid: “Awe Mom, that’s boring!”

Does this conversation sound familiar to you? I hear it all the time in my home. And I must admit, I am sometimes also guilty of giving unclear directions to my kids.  Hi, this is Doug Flemming, your fellow parent joining you for another edition of Take Five, five minutes of inspiration, all brought to you by the Church of the Nazarene.  We are on the fifth part of our series about how to become a “faith trainer.”  In his book, Faith Training, Joe White suggests that a faith trainer gives clear instructions.  This is true in the home and on the job.  One of the top reasons for employee dissatisfaction is because their bosses do not give them clear instructions.  I am both a boss and a parent, and I confess that it’s not always easy to give clear directions, because it requires that we think and plan. It requires time with our staff and our kids.  But, if you want to be successful on the job or in the home, we must improve in this area. We must be involved in helping our kids make wise choices…(when to sleep, what to eat, how to interact). This does not mean we make all their decisions for them, but we take time to help them think about options and consequences.  In sports, a coach tells his players what exercises to perform, how many laps to run, how to pass, shoot.  All these are worked on in practice, so that when game time comes, the players can make good decisions automatically.  The same is true for our parenting.  Talk with your kids.  Work with them.  Explain consequences of certain choices.  Clearly show them and teach them right responses, so that when they enter the real world game of life, they will make wise choices automatically. 

Today’s Music: Let Me Show You The Way, Michael W. Smith

From the life of St. Paul, we learn some helpful hints on how to pass on the faith by giving clear instructions.  To Timothy, Paul said, let God’s word set the standard, remember Christ’s example, run away from evil, and pursue good.  Just like Paul, we must give clear instructions �“ or the baton will be dropped along the way.  It’s never too late to become a faith trainer.