The Preciousness of Others

Philippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 

My husband and I recently did a bible study that helped us as parents learn to be better equipped to raise our little ones... The bible study was called Growing Kids Gods Way by Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo.

Lately a few of the principles we learned have been on my mind, being a stay at home mom and dealing with 3 children all day I guess that is bound to happen. I have been thinking a lot about the preciousness of others. Gary describes this as “The moral mandate of scripture- it requires looking for and responding to the preciousness of those outside of self”. What does that mean to you? Do your children currently do this or do they look more like the picture above? They may look like the picture because of their age, but it is never to early to start teaching and training.

I want nothing more than to raise up godly children who are not only obedient to their parents and authority, but who also value others. When they are at the point of making their own decisions I want them to value the other person, object, or place they are in with high regard. I want them to put others first and to have empathy, being sensitive to how other people feel in situations. I want them to have a moral compass that one day will reflect the desires and direction of Christ...

Since I thought so much of what the Ezzo's talked about was helpful I thought I would share some of the principles they outlined in their study:

1.) Do not allow unkind speech between siblings.

2.) Encourage your children to be happy when something good is happening to a sibling or friend.

3.) Teach your children to respect others property.

4.) Teach your children empathy.

5.) Teach your children that they are each others best friends (siblings)

6.) Teach them not to steal another’s possessions.

7.) To respect nature, because God made it.

8.) Parents are the primary architects of the family conscience and of each child within the family. (basically we are their first teachers of a conscience).

9.) The conscience is something you shape in the child-carefully and with purpose.

10.) The duty of parents is to continually bring their children to a consistency of virtue that is pleasing to God, but never lower the standard to suit the child.
 
Lord please help us to notice the preciousness of others and teach us to be the best example our children can have of how that is played out. Help us instill in our children the values and virtues that will be pleasing to You. Help us to love and teach without being legalistic and to recognize and discern the moral appropriateness of all situations... In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.