I always knew and understood the importance of having other strong Christian influences in my child’s life, but until this year, I did not really feel the need.  But then my daughter went through a trying time last fall, and suddenly I was grateful for adults in her life who she could talk to other then me and her Dad.  Parker and I can talk about anything, but it helped to have other opinions and support outside of our home.  I know it comforted her to hear a little different take on what we were going through and to get a hug from them when they knew she was down.  I trusted these individuals because I knew they loved God and loved my daughter.  I encouraged her to go to them and I still do.  Their influence has been invaluable.
 
If you have young children, you may not yet feel the need, but it will come.  Make plans now.  Seek adults who you would want your kids to go to in a crisis or just when they are having a bad day.  Your children will find someone to fill that need for them one way or another, so why not provide them with some choices ahead of time?  Use this lesson to help introduce your kids to this concept.
 
“Which way should we go?”  
 
Take a walk with your child around the house if they are young or around the neighborhood if they are older.  Everytime you come to a turn, ask the child, “Which way should we go?” and follow his suggestion.
 
Occasionally ask your child why they chose the direction they did.  Were they using wisdom, knowledge or just picking for fun?
 
As you walk, tell your child that he has many choices — he can follow God’s way and/or he can choose to go his own way.  He can use knowledge he gains from the Bible or from adults that love him.  He can use wisdom that comes from learning which ways might turn out bad or good.  Or he can use his own will and ideas alone.  When he uses his own understanding and ideas without consulting wise adults or God, he may end up in a good direction sometimes, but not always.  Using the wisdom of God and people who are trying to follow God will help us make better decisions.  It’s like having a map that guides us.  Show your child a map and talk about getting from one place to another without it.  Explain that the Bible is like a map for us, and other Christians are like people we can stop and ask for help.
 
Point out a few people who your child might be able to ask for help if they needed it.  Talk to those people about how important they are in your child’s life and ask them to be another Christian influence for them.  They will be honored, and you will be grateful some day.