2 Kings 24:9 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done.

Eighteen years old. Brand new king. And Jehoiachin's first executive decision? Copy-paste everything his dad did: right down to the evil parts.



This isn't just ancient history. This is your Tuesday morning, your dinner table, your Netflix choices, and the way you talk about people when you think nobody's listening. Because here's the uncomfortable truth: your kids aren't just hearing you: they're becoming you.

When God's Opinion Becomes the Only One That Matters

Notice the text doesn't say Jehoiachin did what was culturally acceptable or what his friends thought was cool. It says he "did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD."

That phrase should stop us cold.

We live in a world where everyone gets to define their own truth, their own morality, their own version of "good enough." But Scripture isn't interested in our opinion polls. God has a standard, and it's not up for negotiation.

The real question isn't "What does my culture say?" or "What do I feel is right?" The question is: What does God see when He looks at my life?

That's the lens Jehoiachin should have used. That's the lens we desperately need to use as parents, as leaders, as people who are being watched every single day by little eyes and listening ears.

Your Kids Are Wired to Copy You, Literally

Here's something most parents don't know: your child's brain has a mirror neuron system, as scientists call it. These specialized brain cells light up both when your kid does something and when they watch you do it. It's like their brain is taking notes in real-time, building a database of "how to be human" based on your example.

And get this: these neurons are especially responsive to familiar people. Translation? Your child's brain is hardwired to copy you more than anyone else on the planet.

Researchers have discovered that children engage in something called "over-imitation." They don't just copy the necessary steps to achieve a goal: they copy everything, even the irrelevant actions. One developmental psychologist put it this way: "If a chimpanzee is shown an irrelevant action, they won't copy it: they'll skip right to the action that makes something happen."

But humans? We copy it all. Because imitation isn't just about learning skills. It's about connection, belonging, and becoming part of the tribe.

Your kids aren't just learning how to tie their shoes or cook dinner by watching you. They're learning how to respond to stress. How to talk about other people. How to prioritize their time. How to treat God and His Word.

They're learning "according to all that his father had done."

The Invisible Curriculum You're Teaching Right Now

Here's the sobering part: you're teaching every single day, whether you realize it or not.

When you skip church because you're tired, you're teaching.

When you gossip about the pastor or complain about church leadership at the dinner table, you're teaching.

When you read your Bible consistently, or when you don't, you're teaching.

When you pray with humility and dependence on God, you're teaching.

Your life is the most powerful curriculum your children will ever study.

I've walked through 50+ years of ministry, including 20 years as a missionary in Peru, and I can tell you this: the kids who grow up to serve God with joy and consistency almost always had parents who modeled it first. Not perfectly, but genuinely.

After surviving Stage 4 cancer and COVID, I've thought a lot about legacy. What am I leaving behind? What am I teaching by how I respond to suffering, by how I talk about God's faithfulness even in the darkest valleys?

If you want to dive deeper into how God's grace meets us in our failures and pain, I wrote about that journey here: The Big Leap of Faith: Believing God Loves You Exactly As You Are.

Because here's the thing: we can't teach grace if we're drowning in legalism ourselves. We can't inspire faithfulness if we're operating out of fear and performance rather than love.

The Question That Should Haunt Every Parent

Let me ask you straight: What are your children learning from you?

Will they love God because of what they see in your life? Or will they roll their eyes at "church stuff" because they watched you treat it like an obligation instead of a relationship?

Will they be faithful to gather with God's people because they saw you prioritize it? Or will they learn that church is optional, something you do when nothing better comes up?

Will they handle hardship with prayer and trust? Or will they panic, complain, and spiral into anxiety because that's what they watched you do?

The text says Jehoiachin did evil "according to all that his father had done." His father's kingdom ended in captivity. His father's choices had consequences that rippled into the next generation.

I would hate to think that my children and grandchildren would suffer because of what they learned from me.

That sentence should make every parent, every grandparent, every ministry leader pause and take inventory.

You're Not Alone in This

If you're reading this and feeling the weight of failure, let me tell you something: God's mercy is following you right now, ready to bring real grace and honest hope.

You don't have to be perfect. You never could be. But you do need to be genuine. You need to let your kids see you repent when you mess up. Let them see you turn to Scripture when you're confused. Let them hear you pray when you're desperate.

Let them watch you rest in God's grace instead of trying to earn it.

That's the gospel our kids desperately need to see modeled.

Research shows that adolescents who experience warmth and emotional connection with their parents are more likely to imitate them and less likely to reject their values. The quality of your relationship matters just as much as the content of your teaching.

Your kids aren't looking for perfect. They're looking for real.

For practical insights on building that kind of authentic ministry leadership: the kind that inspires others instead of crushing them, check out this article: The Secret to Lasting Impact: Why You Need a Ministry Mentor.

The Legacy Decision Starts Today

Here's your assignment: Look at every step you take today and ask, "Would I want my kids to copy this?"

The way you talk to your spouse. The way you spend money. The way you use your phone. The way you respond when someone wrongs you. The way you prioritize (or don't prioritize) prayer and Scripture.

Every move you make is writing the script your children will follow.

Dads and moms, let's decide right now to set a godly example. Not a perfect one: a grace-filled, authentic, God-honoring one.

Because, regardless of what we wish or hope, they will do according to what we do.

So let's make sure what we're doing is worth copying.

FAQ: Parenting with Purpose

Q: What if I've already messed up? Can I still turn things around for my kids?

Absolutely. God's grace is bigger than your past mistakes. Start today by modeling repentance, humility, and dependence on God. Your kids need to see you turn back to the Lord: that's one of the most powerful lessons you can teach. Remember: mercy is not trailing behind you with conditions. It is running toward you with intention.

Q: How do I teach my kids about God's standard without crushing them with legalism?

Lead with grace. Show them that God's standard matters because He loves us, not because He's keeping score to reject us. Model what it looks like to rest in His finished work while also pursuing obedience out of love. For more on this balance, check out my article on Grace vs. Moralism.

Q: What's the most important thing I can model for my kids spiritually?

Genuine dependence on God. Let them see you pray when you're scared. Let them hear you confess when you're wrong. Let them watch you turn to Scripture when you're confused. Loved people become loving people, and that starts with letting your kids see you being loved by God first.

W. Austin Gardner has served in ministry for over 50 years, including 20 years as a missionary in Peru. After surviving Stage 4 cancer and COVID, he's passionate about helping leaders and parents finish well. For more encouragement, subscribe to his Followed by Mercy newsletter or connect with him at Alignment Ministries.