By Steven D. Minor
Last month we started looking at 10 things that we find vital to teach our children. This month we’re considering the last 5 things that my wife and I are trying to practice when it comes to trying to rear our children in “the way” found in Proverbs 22:6. It is very clear by that passage that we must be intentional about rearing godly individuals who desire to magnify Christ “whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20)  In our home we fervently desire our children: 

  1. To understand it’s all going to burn. This was a statement made to me by a college roommate when one of us lost an earthy possession. The Word of God says, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!” (2 Peter 3:10-12). Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20). In our families, where do our houses, cars, clothes and tech devices rank when it comes to our eternal reward? Are we placing too much emphasis on our stuff?  
  1. To wait for the season of marriage to find a committed Christian mate. It seems as if many Christians are no different with their dating practices and philosophies than the world. It’s a sense of “build intimacy at an early age with as many guys or girls as you can to see which one fits you best” model. When one mixes the immaturity of youth in general, plus the “lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life” (1 John 2:16), raging hormones, and lastly, the hypersexual culture of our day––you usually have a receipt for spiritual disaster. Perhaps God would have us think differently about this issue of finding a Christian mate. How different from the world would it be for us as parents to be actively involved in helping our son or daughter pick out a spouse that would meet the expectations of Ephesians 5 and 1 Peter 3––submission, sacrificial giving, love, respect, modesty, gentleness, honor, etc.? We desire that our children grow their relationship with God as strong as possible before they intimately connect their hearts with others.  
  1. To maintain a strong prayer life. We want them to truly “pray without ceasing!” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). I’m not referring to just “saying prayers.” When our children see and hear us plead with God and praise Him on a daily basis––we are voicing our faith! After my father-in-law died years ago, my thoughts while we were hurrying to be with my mother-in-law was, “I want my children to see and hear where their mom and dad are going to put their faith––in God!” We prayed together in the car and numerous times every day for the next few weeks. Prayer is the expression of our relationship with our God! They need to hear and see us go to Him for comfort, strength, wisdom, guidance, and help in time of need! 
  1. To never be satisfied with their holiness. God’s Word teaches us: “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15-16). “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people” (Ephesians 5:1-3). “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Ephesians 4:1). A legacy of faith comes from a home where there is a holy discontent with the way things are in our personal lives. While we need to be content with what we physically have, we should never be content with our walk with God. Parents, we should take constant inventory of our relationship with God, asking ourselves, “What can I give up for God today?” and “How can I imitate my Father better today?” 
  1. To stay focused on Heaven during the happy times as well as the sad times. Our circumstances do not determine where we spend eternity––it is our choice! Heaven should be a part of our homes, our conversations, and our goals in life. Heaven is our theme in our home. This was Paul’s theme too. He said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). 1 Peter 2:11 teaches us that we are sojourners, pilgrims, and resident aliens! What messages are we sending our children? Do we spend more time and energy fixing up our earthly home than preparing for our eternal home?    

In no way are we totally consistent with our training. I wish we were a “perfect family.”   It’s just not going to happen…. So here is our prayer: “Thank you, God, for your patience and grace as we strive for faithfulness with the priorities we have set in our home. Please convict us with your Word and transform our family into Christ’s followers who want to please You alone!  In Jesus’ name, amen.”