For Kids’ Sake – The Parental Influence – How to Set a Good Example for Our Children

“Train up a child in the way that he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” This applies not only to the spiritual side of our children’s life, but to the physical as well. In fact, it applies to all things in life.

Teaching our children about exercise, in my opinion is no different than teaching our kids, to respect their elders, or teaching our children proper table manners, or talking with them about the things of God. Children learn by example. So, it is imperative that we keep ourselves healthy spiritually and physically. Helping our children be spiritually healthy means taking them to church, reading the Bible, praying, and living our lives the way Christ guides. Helping our children be physically healthy means taking our children for walks, jumping on the trampoline, biking, swimming… you get the idea. The more active our children see us as parents, the more likely they will want to duplicate our actions.

Likewise if we sit down to the table and consume everything in our sight, then tell our children, they can’t leave until they’ve finished eating, of course their going to gain some unwanted weight. We do our children a favor by serving them smaller portions then if our children want more we can give them more.

The Bible says let our moderation be known onto all men. So, work hard to eat moderately. I remember when my son, mason, was four years old he’d sit on the couch, and watch me workout. I’d do push-ups and say “this is for my chest.” Then I would get up and have him sit on my lap and I would draw his arms gently back and forth while repeating the words workout, workout, lets workout.

Setting good examples about health is much like living a good Christian life it is not enough too just talk about Jesus. We must lead by example. It is important that our children see us pray and read the Bible. Yet more important is that our children see us living a good Christian life. They will pick up our habits whether they be good or bad.
Be assured, your children will never forget your actions. The Bible says that Jesus came to give life more abundantly. If you want that, you need to be in shape. As you get in better shape you must always remember a deeper spiritual understanding: your body is not yours, it’s a gift to you from God. Through the physical suffering, death and resurrection of Christ we are free from a corrupt nature to live now in the full presence of God. When you live life in God you’ll naturally glorify Him in your body, your mind and your spirit because you’ll want to give your entire self to Him.
If you’re deciding to start a workout program for the first time then remember to start slow. Take a crawl, walk then run approach. You’re making an important decision that will have a great impact on your life and your children. I commend you for taking the first step towards physical independence and vibrant life.
You have a right to be in good shape to have more energy, and to feel good, so don’t let the devil steal that from you. Early on I instilled in my children the importance of exercise. When I Look back I can see my mother and father did the same for me.
Many times, my mother would take my siblings and me to her softball games and track meets. When my mother wasn’t doing that she was home practicing her fencing moves in the living room – in full fencing gear and mask. I was proud to have a mother who was in shape and smart too. But more importantly than that, she had balance in her life. She took us to church and constantly prayed for us. My mother read her Bible daily. She understood the Bible verse, “Man does not live by bread alone but by every word
that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” We need more than physical nutrition and exercise – we need the balance of spiritual nutrition and exercise too.

My mother believed that it was important to take care of everything God had given her. As the Bible says – Bodily exercise profits you a little, but godliness, is great gain. It is important to exercise and take care of your self, but not at the expense of your relationship with Christ.