Our children are not robots that we can program to follow our every directive. Nor should we try to take the place of God, who alone can give our children new hearts and put His Spirit within them so that they willingly do what He commands. Fathers and mothers, however, have a unique opportunity to cultivate in their children the basic convictions by which to navigate their way through life’s opportunities and perils. We cannot save them or work faith in them, but we can plant seeds of Bible truth in their hearts and minds that, by God’s grace, may bear fruit when they grow to maturity.

JOEL R. BEEKE, HOW DO WE PLANT GODLY CONVICTIONS IN OUR CHILDREN?, 5.