Many of us decided to focus more on being godly parents in the New Year.  To help you on that road, here are twenty tips from Dave and Judy Weger, parents of five and the World Sector Elders for the NET World Sector. 

Have weekly family devotionals.  This is not complicated -- a time of singing, prayer and Scriptures, an inspiring time to have fun and direct the family spiritually.  This is also a great time to do a family schedule together.

Have dinners together as a family.  Have the "three F's":  food, fun, and fellowship.  You need a time to connect daily.

Have a consistent husband and wife discipleship time.  This is a time for the two of you to talk about your marriage, family, schedule, ministry, etc. away from distractions.

Have a consistent discipleship time with each of your children.  These times should be spent doing things your children enjoy, as this will provide openness for heart-to-heart talks.

Invite disciples and non-disciples at times to join your meal times and family devotional times.  These are great opportunities to have fun and to learn from each other.

Have consistent prayer times with each other and your children.  Pray to love God, for the children to become disciples and marry disciples, to be a light to others, etc.

Practice hospitality.  Having disciples in your home will give your children role models for them to imitate.  Reaching out to the lost will help them to develop a love for people.

Expect your children to have daily, age-appropriate quiet times with God.  Start laying the foundation of an intimate relationship with God from an early age.

Expect your children to do chores.  Teach them how to work hard and not to be lazy.

Be consistent and unified in the discipline and correction of your children.  Your children will feel so much more secure when the rules stay the same, no matter which parent is around.

Be unified in your marriage.  Work as a team and do not blame each other when things don't go the way you want them to.

Make time every day to talk as a couple.  Do not go to bed with unresolved issues in your hearts.

Express love and encouragement daily to each other and your children.  Remind them how much you believe in them and how much God loves them.

Make time for family outings.  Have fun and create memories!

Make birthdays and holidays a time to create family traditions.  Your children will remember these for the rest of their lives.

Study Old Testament leaders and their families.  Examine what happened to their families and why.  Study the book of Proverbs on how to train your children.

Prepare yourself spiritually every day for what may come your way.  In a family, the unexpected happens all the time, and your heart needs to be ready for anything.

Be involved with your kids.  Know their friends and where they are at all times.

Take care of your marriage.  As goes your marriage, so goes your family!

Be humble.  Parents will soften the hearts of their kids when they are the first to admit their weaknesses, faults and sins.