We have a child who was so sensitive that a strong look would reduce that child to tears. Had we disciplined each in the same way, it would have been disaster for the entire family. In spiritual matters, our children are exposed to classes, sermons, worship, and other Christians that have impact on their development. And that can be good or bad. No one who thinks that by simply indulging in outward, religious exercise on Sunday, that's all that spiritual is.
True spirituality reveals itself in the living of life every day of the week.
This is most effectively taught by a dad in the unwavering living out of his faith, day by day, from the child's earliest recollection. Again and again there will be markers that let you know if you're doing the job. Perhaps illustrations from life would serve as my strongest example, and I will choose one instance from the life of each of our four children. I visited with some friends from another denomination's college today and I could not believe how small they conceive God as being . . . restricted to only their own slant on things. Our second child, a teacher at Bridgemont High School in San Francisco, told me at Christmas break that genuine love for God was communicated to her in how she saw me love all the people we pastored through her years of growing up.