Photo: Rauno Träskelin
The desire to be a godly parent is noble and honouring to God. There is certainly much we could do – family devotions, praying with & for our kids, letting church blow up our weekend, having sponsor children, being hospitable, praying for and supporting missionaries, being cross-cultural missionaries, serving the church in many and varied ways, always being early to church, telling our friends about Jesus, facilitating our kids’ telling of Jesus to their friends, going to christian holiday camps/events, openly discussing our financial partnership with church with our kids. Really, the list is endless…..
Modelling godliness to our children, however, has a HUGE danger – making our (and their) acceptance by God seem as though it is based on what we do. It’s not! Jesus has brought us to God by dying for our sins, the righteous for the unrighteous (1 Pet 3:18). Nothing we have or could do will make any difference. The dangers for parents are feeling guilty if our kids reject God, or proud if they do not. The dangers for our kids is seeing christianity as a list of rules to keep, and self-righteousness if they do okay at it. All of these scenarios would be a tragedy, none of which I hope you are aiming for.
So how do we prevent this from happening? Doing more? I’ll trust you can see the error in that logic. Not do anything? Borrowing Paul’s phrase – BY NO MEANS!
What then shall we do to show our kids it is all about Jesus? Exactly that – show them it is ALL about Jesus.
Every time you pray, make it about Jesus’ intercession.
Every time you go to church, make it about Jesus’ gathering.
Every time you say grace before a meal, make it about Jesus’ provision.
Every time you write a letter to your sponsor child, make it about Jesus’ mercy.
Every time you show hospitality, make it about Jesus’ adoption.
Every time you serve, make it about Jesus’ sacrifice.
Every time you discipline, make it about Jesus’ atonement.
Every time you [INSERT ANY ACTION HERE] – make. it. about. Jesus!
By making everything about Jesus, all glory will go to Jesus. Isn’t that what you are striving for? Don’t get caught up in doing, get caught up in Jesus!
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
Titus 3:4-8 (italics added)
Do you find these posts helpful in parenting to the Glory of God?
If you do, then I’m sure others would too.
Please SHARE these posts, and in doing so pray for a generation of kids who have had the gospel of Jesus taught & modelled to them by their parents.
Christian Parenting for Christ's Sake 