If someone were to ask you what the goal of parenting should be, what would you say? Most people set goals for their lives, such as their careers, their physical health, and maybe even a bucket list of all the things they will do before they die, but few set goals for eternity, especially eternity for their little ones. If you are a parent, you need to think seriously about the life that God has entrusted to you. If you are not a parent don’t check out now. You too have the opportunity to influence the lives of children. It may be a child who comes to church but doesn’t live in a home where Christ is first. It may be a young mom or dad that you can come alongside and help through the tedious job of maneuvering through parenthood. The fundamental goal for every parent should be to train their children in such a way that it will lead them to a saving faith in Jesus Christ and mature them to live out the gospel for the rest of their lives. That is the most important thing we can ever do to help our children have a future that is worthwhile and fulfilling. We need to be like Paul in Philippians 3:14. Always pushing forward and keeping our eyes on the goal.
Philippians 3:14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
If our goal is to lead our children to Christ and then to a mature faith, how do we do that? The first thing we must be sure of is our own salvation. It is not just about saying a prayer and then going through the motions of what appears to be a Christian, such as going to church and not doing certain things that a Christian wouldn’t do. It is about having a real relationship that guides everything about you. You can’t lead someone somewhere you haven’t been yourself. We must be firm in our faith, always adding to it daily with study, prayer, and application of the word of God. Paul says in I Corinthians 16:13 we are to be watchful. We are to pay attention, to be aware of the dangers of this life that can cloud our view of what is truly important. We are to be strong and intentional to be all that God has designed us to be for Him.
I Corinthians 16:13 “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
Second, we must not only lead by example, but we must engage them in a time of prayer and read to them from God’s word. It may only be a short verse that teaches them that Jesus loves them. As they grow older read to them stories about the characters of the Bible. The Bible is full of adventures that will captivate their minds if you will take the time to teach them. If they can get excited over Superman or the Disney characters they can understand the adventures of David, Joseph, Daniel, or the little boy in John 6:9 who had five loaves of bread and two fish. It will trigger their minds to think how powerful Jesus is that he could feed over 5000 people with the little boy’s lunch and also have leftovers. Make the Bible real to them. Make it exciting and something to look forward to each night before bedtime.
John 6:9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”
Third, you need to begin teaching by school age what sin is and how it breaks God’s heart. Teach them about why Jesus died on the cross and how we can be forgiven. If you are not sure how to present these elementary teachings to your child go to websites like Child Evangelism Fellowship for information. There is even a wordless book that uses colors to teach them about salvation. Teach them we all sin, but God can’t be in the presence of sin, but because He loves us, He made a plan for our forgiveness. Yes, even your precious little one is a sinner. We are born with a sinful nature that shows itself time and time again with selfishness and disobedience.
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”
Fourth, once your child has accepted Jesus as their Savior you must add to their faith. Now, is truly the beginning of their preparation for eternity. It’s called sanctification. It is the process we are all in from the time we are saved until the day we die. All throughout the Bible there are verses that teach us that we are to be growing in our faith daily. In II Peter 1:5, we are instructed to be diligent about adding to our faith. In James 2:14 we learn that faith without works is dead! When we have real faith, saving faith, we will have the desire to do what pleases God. When our children are first saved, they will be excited and want to tell others. We are to encourage them and help them to continue their growth. A fundamental truth about life is that it is constantly growing. When we cease to grow, we begin to die. Our spiritual lives are not different.
II Peter 1:5 “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith.”
James 2:14 “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man says he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?”
Fifth, teach them the value of respecting the pastor at church. Teach them to listen. Will they understand all that’s being said? No, but they are learning to respect the word of God and the preacher. Quiz them after a message on the way home or just before bedtime. If they say they don’t remember anything that was said, remind them of the truths that were taught. If they remember one thing that’s great! Reward them for sitting quietly, but if they don’t sit quietly don’t give in and reward bad behavior. Make them earn it. Just because they won’t understand is no reason to allow them to play in church. You are preparing them to listen to the Holy Spirit. Will it be hard in the beginning for you? Yes, but God gave you those children to train for His glory. Once you have mastered teaching this discipline you will be so thankful you endured. Remember when the Holy Spirit caused baby John to leap in his mother’s womb when Mary came to visit? Even this unborn infant knew he was in the presence of the Messiah. The Holy Spirit can talk baby talk and deal with your child’s heart as He sees fit, but you must do your part by training them. If they can learn to sit in school as early as 4 or 5, they can sit in church.
If you are diligent in teaching your children, living an example before them, and you are praying and studying with them you are giving them the best opportunity possible to grow up serving Christ. You are giving the Holy Spirit something to work with when you train them with the ultimate goal of eternity in mind. Parenting is one of God’s most important callings, it is one of the hardest things you will do, but the reward can be great. Psalm 127:3-5 teaches us that our children are a gift and blessing from God. They are like arrows in the hand of a warrior, but for arrows to hit the target the warrior must do his part. Ask God to give you wisdom and patience as you seek to raise a child for His glory.
Psalm 127:3-5 “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.”
