Being A Good Listener

Dear Dads,

In one of the recent dad's newsletter, you were encouraged to work with your kids to help them be teachable. It was mentioned that being teachable would involve being a good listener, being humble, and responding properly.

Being a good listener is a specific quality for dads to impart to their children.

Key point for fathers:

We need to teach our kids to be good listeners.

Important Bible verse:

James 1:19 "·.be quick to listen, slow to speak·."

There are so many benefits for the child who is a good listener and responds properly:

1) Learning (grow in knowledge) ··. Proverbs 1:5 Let the wise listen and add to their learning. (By the way, our kids won't be learning much if they're too busy doing most of the talking.)

2) Blessings from God to those who listen to wisdom ··. Proverbs 8:32 Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.

3) Avoid foolishness ··. Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. (Let's teach our kids the value of being respectful by stopping what they're doing, looking the person in the eye, and giving feedback to whomever is speaking.)

4) Obtain wisdom ··. Proverbs 19:20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. (A good explanation of "wisdom" is the use of knowledge as the Lord would want.)

5) Be accountable ··. Proverbs 19:27 Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

6) Stay on the right path ··. Proverbs 23:19 Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.

It will take time on your part this year to teach your kids to be good listeners, but it would sure be worth the effort.

Let's work at being good listeners ourselves.

PS- Normally this newsletter is kept shorter and quicker to read, but all the information was left in this time, both to show you the importance and to give you verses that you can go over with your children if you choose.