The Atlantic reported on a study titled "The Children We Mean to Raise: The Real Messages Adults are Sending About Values." The authors of the study point to a "gap" between what adults tell children they should value and the messages they actually send through their actions. In short, the study noted that "[Parents] may pay lip service to character education and empathy, but our children report hearing a very different message."

According to the article, "While 96 percent of parents say they want to raise ethical, caring children, and cite the development of moral character as 'very important, if not essential,' 80 percent of the youths surveyed reported that their parents 'are more concerned about achievement or happiness than caring for others.'" The kids were three times more likely to agree with this statement: "My parents are prouder if I get good grades in my class than if I'm a caring community member in class and school."

Possible Preaching Angle:

This is a fascinating study that can set up an illustration on parenting or a bunch of other issues—discipleship, integrity, hypocrisy. It's a clear-cut case of "what you do speaks so loudly I can't hear what you say."