The number #1 goal in parenting by Kelli

The Ultimate purpose of Godly/Biblical parenting is the proclamation of the gospel to our children. This needs to be on the fore front of our minds. Do you have an eternal perspective in your parenting? Are you more concerned about obedience? While we are responsible for calling our children to obedience and we will be accountable for our actions regarding obedience, obedience is not the end product. Our main responsibility is to direct our children's hearts back to the Lord. Get an eternal perspective if you will. After all, it is all about Christ. All of our scriptural instruction should be for the purpose of salvation and the process of sanctification. (sanctification: an ongoing process of becoming more like Christ)

What would your children say your passions are? Would your children say your hearts desire is in advancing the gospel? Take a moment and ask your children. We can proclaim it all we want, but be sure that you practice it. Your children are watching you.

I have been introduced to a wonderful book recently. It is titled, "Teach them diligently." Author Lou Priolo says, " there are at least 3 essential ingredients necessary to produce the Christ-like maturity you are to be endeavoring to produce in your child. They are the Spirit, the Scriptures, and time. First it is necessary for a person to be changed into the image of Christ by the Holy Sprit. This gradual transformation takes place on the inside of a person--his heart. the Holy Spirit indwells only those individuals who have, by God's grace, trusted in the atoning work of Christ who died on the cross (as a substitute) for (to pay the penalty for) their sins. (Rom. 5:8; 1 Cor. 15:3; 2 Cor. 5:21). You, too, must depend on God's spirit to help you become the kind of parent the Bible requires of you.

The second maturity-producing resource is the Bible. Now the interesting thing to note is that the Scriptures are necessary to help your child realize the basics of salvation, such as his sinful condition and his need to trust in Christ's substitutionary death on the cross. You see, now one can become a Christian with out the Bible (Rom. 10:13-17). The Spirit works through the Word to bring conviction and ultimately regeneration (1 Peter 1:23). Because the Scriptures are able to (have the power) to make your children wise about salvation, it is essential that you begin using the scriptures with your children at an early age."

Now how exactly do you do this? Well, many ways. I do believe the most effective way is through non-conflict opportunities. Take time to teach them the word of God for every day life. Which one of us has not had a child that acted selfish, angry, disrespectful, unkind? Use the Word of God to instruct this sin in their life. Are you diligent in teaching your child what the Lord requires or says about the sin in his life? Could he recite to you from the Word what it says? I have made some note cards with scripture references on them relating to many common sins to help you with a quick reference. For many of us, we were not raised with a Biblical mindset, so the Word of God is not quickly on our tongue. If you would like a copy of them, they are available in both PDF and Word 7.0 version. You can download them from the bottom of this page.

I have to tell you, this book has been such a blessing to me as it has helped me to capture the Lord's vision for me in my parenting. I do want to close with a reminder, that there are no guarantees regarding our children and their salvation. That doesn't negate our responsibility, but rather a reminder of our reliance on God's grace once again.

I will leave you with the following questions taken from Lou Priolo's book,

Teach Them Diligently

How well do you know the Scriptures yourself?
How often do you refer to the Bible in the course of a normal conversation with your children?
How adept are you at teaching and relating the Scriptures to them in everyday life?
How effectively do you use the Scriptures to reprove (convict) them of their sin? (Do you reprove in such a way that causes them to revere God's Word or disdain it?)
How consistently do you use the Bible when you correct your child?
How do you use the Bible to train your children in righteousness to help them to do better in the future?

Download the Word 2000 Version of Scripture Notecards