Every time an airplane prepares for take-off, there is a standard procedure of reviewing safety precautions. One part of that speech includes information about what to do if the cabin loses pressure and oxygen masks fall from the ceiling. Part of that precaution is that an adult should have their own mask in place and working BEFORE assisting their child. Why is that? Well, it’s because you can’t very well help your child if you aren’t able to breathe yourself.

It’s the same way with our relationship with God. As parents (and grandparents, aunts, uncles, caring adults), we need to be keeping a healthy relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, sharing our faith, and interacting with other believers. When our relationship with God is strong, then we are able to guide our children into God’s Truth. What a privilege we have to impact the next generation to know and love God.

And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (NLT)