Winning our kids to Christ! (Pt.2)

(Part 2 of 2)

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”-Proverbs 22:6

Modeling faith to our kids is important, however, at some point we must move from “this is how its done” (which is modeling), to “this is how you do it” (which is training). Training is the action of teaching a person a particular skill or type of behavior. Once we  have modeled how to live, we must then teach our kids how to do it. That is precisely what God spoke through Moses in Deuteronomy 6:6-9:

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Teach. Talk. Write. All of these represent avenues by which we can train up our kids in the ways of righteousness. Training is designed to be intentional, focused, and goal oriented. It can be structured, however, it can also happen spontaneously; when special moments arise in which we can see the hand of God in action. We must be prepared to proclaim the goodness of God to our kids. Proclaiming the praises of God and declaring His wonderful works is another way we train them:

“We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done.”-Psalm 78:4

Perhaps one of the most overlooked ways that we train up a child is through discipline:

“The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

Addressing wrong behavior is every bit as important as teaching them what is right. A lack of correction leaves the child to determine what is right or wrong in their own eyes. Left to themselves, their decisions will lead to shame and heartache. We must then lovingly correct poor behavior and redirect them towards making good, godly choices.

The biggest obstacle that many of our kids will face is the obvious inconsistency they see in us as parents. Training can be hindered by our lack of integrity in modeling what we teach or by our inability to show grace in the growth process:

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”-Ephesians 6:4

“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”-Colossians 3:21

If you want to discourage your child from pursuing Jesus, nothing does it faster than telling them how to live, yet not living it yourself. I would venture say that even parents who are making the effort to train up their child, focus more heavily on the training than the modeling. Be certain, kids will detect when what you are saying is not lining up with how you are living.

Remember, the goal is to win our kids to Christ, not just bring them to church. Although salvation is a choice that each one of them will have to make on their own, we can certainly position them for a life of faith through good modeling and training.

Pastor Scott Burr
Dayspring Community Church