Last night, we invited our older daughter's entire soccer team and their families for an end of the season party. We hosted 55 people for pizza, veggies, fruit, pop and lots of dessert! Very fun! Most of the teenagers played "capture the flag" after dinner.
During dinner I sat down to eat with some of the parents. One mother, who has a son who recently started taking classes at a Christian college asked a really thought-provoking question. She said the Christian college her son attends sets rules for students to follow, one of which is a "no dancing rule". She questioned if this particular rule was really necessary. Several of the parents asked why the rule is in place given that we are "free in Christ". The conversation quickly turned to the key question: "How do you prepare your child to live for Christ in every area? Are we discipling our children in a way that when they graduate and leave home, will they make the right choices?" These questions are primary to Christian parents because the Bible teaches that we have the responsibility to train our children.
One of the fathers in our conversation summed up his thoughts on the subject with this: "Teach your children to LOVE God. If they love God completely then they will not be tempted to veer from right decisions." Loving God.......yes that's it! That's the bottom line! But how? I asked this father HOW he and his wife have pratically, daily showed and taught their children to love God. He explained that praying together as a family and reading God's Word together as a family shows the children that we love God so much that we want to spend time with Him. He also talked about how he and his wife model God's love to each other and toward others in need. Wow! What a great discussion among parents who are really wrestling with family discipleship.
How are you teaching your children to love God?
Love is the greatest!
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