This article originally appeared on the Houston International Church of Christ site.

Late in the evening of July 4^th 1986, I stood in a hospital hallway holding my newborn son. Above my head there were large windows.  Only the light of fireworks from a nearby park lighted the dark hallway.  The exploding fireworks lit up my son's face, and my heart melted.  In that moment it seemed as though the whole world was celebrating his birth. 

My mind wandered to the future.  What would he look like? Would he love God? Would we be close friends? What kind of father would I be?   Today I can say many of my hopes and dreams for my son have become a reality.  On February 6, 2000 his mother and I baptized him into Christ.

Fatherhood has taught me a great deal about God and myself.  I have studied the parenting of close friends who have exceptional children. I have attended numerous seminars and workshops. I've read great books on parenting. Yet, none of these things seemed to be enough to prepare me more than just being a great disciple of Jesus Christ.

There are no "real" parenting experts.  Those who claim to be are usually the most out of touch.  Many of the world's leading parenting experts don't even have kids! 

The most important goal of parenting is teaching your kids to fall in love with God.  You have to be in the learning mode and open your mind to thinking beyond what you were "raised with".  You have to get yourself discipled.  This is the clearest way to know if you are mature.   Do you open yourself up or wait for the right question to be asked?  You have to be seen by your kids as someone who gets help.

Here are some practical parenting principles:

Principle No. 1 -- Stay on Top of Things

In Luke 2:41-52 we read about the story of Joseph and Mary taking Jesus to Jerusalem.  On their way home he is left behind and a whole day goes by before it is discovered he is not in their company. 

They had so much to think about: packing their belongings, sorting out their family and friends, busy streets full of people visiting during the Passover.  It fascinates me that Joseph and Mary, being such great parents, could just leave Jesus behind.  What were they thinking?

Parenting can take you by surprise.  You assume things, and then before you know it, your kids are spiritually "left behind".  Jesus had to get some of his spiritual education all on his own.  He was "sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions".  This was Joseph and Mary's responsibility.  Why were they not sharing what they learned with Jesus on the way home?  They assumed too much.  Teaching and educating is not something to pawn off onto public and Sunday school teachers. It is at the core of parenting.  Jesus did well in spite of his parents.  How many of our kids do well in spite of us?

Principle No. 2 -- Constantly Train

How often should you teach your kids about loving and serving God?

We read in Deuteronomy 11:18-21 that God expects us to CONSTANTLY train our kids. When you rise, when you sleep, when you travel. 

How often do you train your kids? How often do you have family devotionals?

My wife Robin and I consider our kids to be in a constant mode of learning about God.  We recently returned from a trip to Dallas. We were attending the 10^th Anniversary Service of the Dallas/Ft. Worth church at Texas Stadium.  One of my 7-year-old twin daughters was sitting next to me during the service drawing on a pad of paper.  Instead of drawing a Pokemon character, she was drawing the stage and a stick figure of Nick Young preaching.  Our twins often initiate singing songs in the car.  My boys Eric (13) and Chris (10) often initiate prayer at meals.  They are constantly in the mode of thinking about God because we are. 

We stopped at a Sonic on the way home and while we ate our burgers each of us shared about what we enjoyed most about the anniversary service.  They all said they were excited about the baptisms.  My wife baptized a young mother of two, and our kids got to stand on the field next to her.  They talked about how they loved the singing of thousands of disciples.  They also thought it was cool to walk on the field where the Dallas Cowboys played.  We constantly do these small things because in the end, small things add up, and your kids love God.

Every moment counts.  Remember that Mary treasured these things in her heart.  She built memories.  Build some memories every day and train CONSTANTLY.

Principle No. 3 -- Have the Right Attitude

Notice in the Luke 2:41-52 account how Mary responds when she finally finds Jesus. She says "Why have you done this to us?"  Her first response was defensive.  She should have just apologized for leaving him behind.  Instead she is in the mode of blame.  As parents it is easy to have the defensive attitude.  Our kids are doing things to us. You have to accept the fact that YOU ARE THE PARENT.  There is no room for that attitude.  It all rests on you and you will make mistakes.  Our kids need to see a humble heart and good attitude in how we respond to them.  I don't think Jesus was in sin!  Mary reacted.  Even though she was concerned, she had to accept the responsibility for what happened.  Can people correct your parenting? Do you welcome the input of others?  If you hesitate to answer these two questions, now is the time to repent.  You only have your children for about 18 years under your care. Don't let your sin and lack of openness to correction hurt their chances to make it to heaven.  The longer you wait, the harder it is to influence them.

Practical parenting is not really all that difficult.  If you apply these principles and make them a part of your character, your kids will benefit.  It is all about transferring your heart for God.

To God be the Glory!