photo by Joe Beone
Credit card offers arrive in our mailbox by the dozen, promising low APRs, no transfer fees and an easy approval process. In fact, most of the time they say we’re pre-approved. Just sign here and we are on our way to financial freedom. Nothing to it. If you look at the teeny-tiny fine print on the backside, however, you’ll notice all kinds of disclaimers, waivers and double-speak that makes it quite obvious it’s not as cut and dry as the creditor makes it out to be.
In today’s society it is commonplace to keep your word only for as long as it is convenient to do so. As soon as a loophole presents itself, many will take advantage of it and opt out of their agreement with the other party. It’s not a very honorable way of doing things.
When we entered a relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, we also entered a contract, a covenant. When He said, “Follow me” and we each said, “I will”, we began a commitment of obedience to His commandments. Deuteronomy 5:9 states “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”
It is our responsibility to teach our children about God and His laws. It’s wonderful if we have a dynamic pastor or if the children’s programs at our church have brilliant teachers and awesome lessons. Our church may have one of the most energetic youth outreach programs in the area. However, if we’re not making God a big deal in our own homes with our children, we’re not worthy of the sacrifice He made for our benefit. We’re defaulting on our contract.
Besides, wouldn’t our church staff have an easier time of it if what they were teaching our children was reinforced at home? Wait a minute. Let’s turn that around. What if what we were teaching our children at home was being reinforced by the pastor and youth leaders? That’s biblical. What church staff do is supposed to be supplementing what we as parents do, not taking the place of it.
Christian parenting is a deliberate choice, born of obedience to God’s Word and His commandments that we teach our children about Him. Are you willing to do whatever it takes to recognize and act as though your home is the mission field God wants it to be?
In today’s society it is commonplace to keep your word only for as long as it is convenient to do so. As soon as a loophole presents itself, many will take advantage of it and opt out of their agreement with the other party. It’s not a very honorable way of doing things.
When we entered a relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, we also entered a contract, a covenant. When He said, “Follow me” and we each said, “I will”, we began a commitment of obedience to His commandments. Deuteronomy 5:9 states “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”
It is our responsibility to teach our children about God and His laws. It’s wonderful if we have a dynamic pastor or if the children’s programs at our church have brilliant teachers and awesome lessons. Our church may have one of the most energetic youth outreach programs in the area. However, if we’re not making God a big deal in our own homes with our children, we’re not worthy of the sacrifice He made for our benefit. We’re defaulting on our contract.
Besides, wouldn’t our church staff have an easier time of it if what they were teaching our children was reinforced at home? Wait a minute. Let’s turn that around. What if what we were teaching our children at home was being reinforced by the pastor and youth leaders? That’s biblical. What church staff do is supposed to be supplementing what we as parents do, not taking the place of it.
Christian parenting is a deliberate choice, born of obedience to God’s Word and His commandments that we teach our children about Him. Are you willing to do whatever it takes to recognize and act as though your home is the mission field God wants it to be?
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2 comments:
Also it might be that a well meaning church volunteer inadvertently says something that confuses or misinforms or scares your child. You also need to ask your children about what they are learning as a supplement there in church.
Absolutely! That falls right in line with being purposeful in our Christian parenting. It's not enough to send our children off and hope for the best. The adage that it takes a community to raise a child has merit, but a parent should strive to be leading the way!
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