THINK TOGETHER.
Are you a good influence on others?
READ TOGETHER
Proverbs 12:26. One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
One of the most important questions you can ask yourself is, "What kind of influence am I on others?" Solomon says that the righteous, or good person, guides their neighbors (their friends). But the wicked, or bad person, leads others astray.
Here's the truth: Your life can either lead others toward God and his goodness, or away from God toward badness. That's a choice you have to make every day. Will you try to influence others to do the right thing or the wrong thing?
Another question that this Proverb helps us to think through is who are we following? Who is leading you? Are you letting righteous people guide you into the right things, or are you listening to people who try to get you to do the wrong thing? Who would you say influences you the most?
Of course, the best answer to that question is Jesus. He is the only person that has always been righteous and never wicked. Which is why we should always compare what others say to what Jesus says. What does Jesus say? He says "Take up your cross and follow me." Jesus wants us to let him guide us. He wants to be the greatest influence on our lives. He wants us to live like he did, in sacrificial love like the cross. When we know that we are loved and forgiven by Jesus we can let him guide us as we guide others.
Because of Jesus we are always being guided by God.
With Jesus we can be a good influence on others.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Help your kids evaluate their peer influences. Do you know who their friends are? Ask, "How are your friends influencing you?"
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, I want to follow you with my cross. Help me to love others and sacrifice my own wants for their needs. Amen.
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