Pam Farrel offers a Graduation UPGRADE to help parents prepare students for life success with a two-handled "Handle on Truth." She begins with this formula:

God math: PLANT God’s Word + WATER with prayer = GROWTH of SUCCESS in Life!

I (Dawn) think that sounds like a good formula for success for anyone!

Pam continues . . .

In our book, 10 Best Decisions a Grad Can Make, we walk a grad through a simple process of PLANTing and WATERing God’s Truth in his or her life.

When we PLANT and WATER the seed of God’s Word in our heart, the Holy Spirit can get our attention and guide our future.  

The Spirit’s ability to lead and influence our lives is fed by our interaction of the Truth of God’s Word. It is like a seed that starts out small, but under the right conditions it will grow to be the key to future success.

(1) PLANT God’s Word into your life consistently.

P is for PROBE. Probing is a process.

Be “a worker … who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

This is the process of studying God’s Word so it makes sense to us. A simple way to have a quiet time would be Learning to use your VOWELS:

A pastor’s wife, who is a friend of mine, shared a simple system she learned from the Navigators while she was a student in college. It’s as easy as saying your vowels: A, E, I, O, U:

A—Ask questions. Read the verse and see if you can come up with 10 questions to ask of the text.

E—Emphasize. Find definitions for key words; look up meaning of key phrases. (You will need a dictionary or a Bible dictionary, and maybe a Bible Encyclopedia.)

I—In your own words. Rewrite a paraphrase of the verse or at least a piece of the passage into your own words.

O—Other references. Use cross-references to lead you to other verses, and/or use commentaries.

U—You! Choose a personal application. The sooner you can apply the verse the better!

L is for LISTEN. Yes, listen!

“Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).  

Hearing other people teach the Bible and relate how it is affecting their lives encourages growth in all of us.

A is for ACQUAINT. Acquaint yourself with scripture.

“He is to read it all the days of his life” (Deuteronomy 17:19).

There is no substitute for reading God’s Word consistently. Even a verse a day will help root a life in Christ.

N is for NAIL. Nail it down.

“I have hidden your word in my heart” (Psalm 119:11).

Post favorite verses on the mirror of your bathroom or listen to praise music for easy memorizing.

T is for THINK. Think it over.

"Blessed is the one … who meditates on [God’s] law day and night” (Psalm 1:2).

Ask questions to apply The Word: “How do I live this out?" and "How does this apply to my life?”

Bill and Pam Farrel's three strong and godly graduates!

(2) WATER your relationship with God through prayer.

W is for WAIT. Wait for God.

“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Romans 8:16).

Listen by saying, “God, you go first,” and then assume the thoughts that come to mind are what God wants to talk to you about.

A is for ACKNOWLEDGE. Acknowledge your sin to God.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

T is for THANK. Thank God!

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

E is for EXALT. Exalt God!

“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name” (Psalm 103:1).

R is for REQUEST. Request of God.

“In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).

PLANTing and WATERing God’s Word ensures a life UPGRADE—that “future and a hope” for our launching kids—and ourselves!

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11, NIV).

Remember: God math: PLANT God’s Word + WATER with prayer = GROWTH of SUCCESS in Life!

Do you need to do some planting? Some watering?

Pam Farrel and her husband Bill are international speakers and the authors of 40 books on marriage, family and parenting including 10 Best Decisions a Grad Can Make and 10 Best Decisions a Parent Can Make. The Freshman Foundation is also an interactive set of dinner and dialogue questions to prepare a grad for college. Visit www.Love-wise.com.

Graphic adapted: Image courtesy of Keerati at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.