Raising Heavenly Children on Earth

Children are a gift from God.

Psalm 127:3
Our business in this world…is to see what
virtues we can teach our children and our
families to possess, that they shall have
an influence upon others…
Ellen G. White, Adventist Home, p. 32
 Values and Character

• Values are our belief system.

• Character is the activation of our values.
Don’t say things. What you are stands over you
the while, and thunders so that I cannot hear
what you say to the contrary.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson, Letters and Social
Aims Merriam-Webster, I. (1992). The Merriam-
Webster dictionary of quotations (53).
Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster.
 Activity
• Have a participant write a seven-sentence
speech they would like one of their children
(when grown) to give about them.
• Include the personality characteristics they
now possess (the ones you would like them
to be noted for).
• What core values did they cherish from their
upbringing?
 Some Qualities We Want to
See in Our Children
• Fair • Respectful of others’
• Honest rights
• Trustworthy • Respectful of legitimate
• Forgiving authority
• • Responsible for their
Empathy and caring for
others own behavior
• Capable of generosity
and love
Emotional Intelligence: What is it?
• Emotional intelligence (EQ or EI) is one’s ability
to control their emotions.
• It is being emotionally aware and having the
ability to manage your emotions even in
stressful situations.
• Researchers have found that EQ is more
predictive of one’s success in life than IQ.
• EQ leads to happiness in all areas of life,
including family relationships.
 Emotional Intelligence:
Why is it important?
• Character development is not intrinsic unless
one is emotionally aware.
• The ability to handle one’s emotions under all
circumstances is the true test of one’s
character.
• Helping children to manage their emotions is
key to them becoming responsible and caring
adults.
 Parents as Emotion Coaches
• Become aware of the child’s emotion.
• Recognize the emotion as an opportunity for
intimacy and teaching.
• Listen empathetically, validating the child’s
feelings.
• Help the child find words to label the emotion
he or she is having.
• Set limits while exploring strategies to solve the
problem at hand.
 We Are Not Alone

Jesus Himself, in His infinite mercy, is working

on human hearts, effecting spiritual
transformations so amazing that angels look on
with astonishment and joy.
--Ellen White, 5 Testimonies, p. 731
 Building a Bridge from
Christian Values to Christian Behavior
• Respect is critical.
• Actions speak louder than words.
• Values must be seen and heard.
• A capacity to think is essential.
• Love is foundational.
 Love is. . .
• Focused attention
• Time
• Support
• Connectedness
• Limits
• Commitment
Appreciating the Gift
 ELLEN WHITE STATES IT WELL:

If Christian [parents] will present to society children

with integrity of character, with firm principles, and
sound morals, they will have performed the most
important of all missionary labors. Their children,
thoroughly educated to take their places in society,
are the greatest evidence of Christianity that can be
given to the world.
Child Guidance, p. 163