Turning the Hearts...Discover Your Child's Talents
"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).
We have all believed this proverb and sought to rear our children in God's way. However, perhaps we have neglected to help them discover their talents that they may share with others.
We all have gifts or talents (Matthew 25:15; Romans 12:6). Some call them abilities or natural gifts. Some athletes are referred to as naturals or gifted. Some musicians are certainly gifted—some from very young ages. As parents, we have the great opportunity to help our children discover and develop their talents.
Most parents do not know all the gifts their children have unless they give their children opportunity to find those gifts or talents. By exposing our children to a variety of activities, we may discover where their individual talents lie. Music, sports, art, writing and mechanics are all good opportunities for children to discover what they are good at doing.
We exposed our children to music and sports. The school system helped with art and writing. My wife taught our daughters the accordion. They dutifully took lessons and did all right, but they did not "take" to the accordion. They liked the flute and clarinet much better. Neither became musicians, but they learned to read music and to have an appreciation for music.
When we give our children opportunities to learn teamwork through sports, it helps them with teamwork in life. That is always helpful for success in business and the family.
One thing we must be careful not to do is try to make our children become what we always wanted to be. Perhaps you wanted to be a dancer. So, you dutifully prod your daughter to become a dancer. She complies, but she does not like it. We may unknowingly limit our children's development in other aspects that would be more of a "fit" for them.
As parents, let's help our children discover their talents or gifts so that they may grow up as confident, well-rounded individuals. Then they may be able to use those talents to fulfill their potential and share them with their family, their community and their Church. Through this process, they will be able to use whatever talents they develop to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). UN
Course Content
Gary Antion
Gary Antion is a long-time minister, having served as a pastor in both the United States and Canada. He is also a certified counselor. Before his retirement in 2015, he was an instructor at Ambassador Bible College, where he had most recently also served as Coordinator.
