Shepherding a Child's Heart

(^)
Chapter 10
Embracing Biblical Methods: A Life of Communication
In 1978, our family built a house. As we worked, we talked about
things we would do when we finished building the house. In the
intervening years, we have put on an addition, remodeled the
bathroom and kitchen, and are preparing to dig for another addition.
We no longer talk about finishing the house. We realize that we will
always be retrofitting our home. There will always be some
improvement to be made.
(^) Building our house has become more than an event in our life as a
family—it has become a lifestyle! Communication is like that.
A Life of Communication
(^) Communication not only disciplines, it also disciples. It shepherds
your children in the ways of God. Like the teaching of Deuteronomy
6, this full-orbed communication occurs while lying down, waking,
rising, walking, and sitting. Parents are often too busy to talk unless
something is wrong. A regular habit of talking together prepares the
way for talking in strained situations. You will never have the hearts
of your children if you talk with them only when something has gone
wrong.
Shepherding the Heart
(^) I have used the phrase “shepherding the heart” to embody the
process of guiding our children. It means helping them understand
themselves, God’s works, the ways of God, how sin works in the
human heart, and how the gospel comes to them at the most profound