Parenting is not for the faint of heart. Neither is teaching or mentoring children in any capacity. The world in which we live throws all kinds of obstacles and ideas in their way. It always has, and it always will until Christ returns. I’m not sure it’s any “worse” today than it was in the past. It’s just different. So, what does it look like to bring up our children in the training and instruction of the Lord. As you may know, I devote a few hours of my time each month (evenings or my day off) to Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. One of my colleagues there, Daniel Eng, recently shared five biblical principles he and his wife are working to instill in their three girls. I believe these are worth pondering.

1. Don’t follow your heart – Since the heart is deceitful above all things (Jer. 17:8) and since our natural inclination is to desire what is contrary to the Spirit (Gal. 5:17), we cannot assume that all of our desires are good. Eng says, “We are teaching our kids to distrust their feelings and trust the Scriptures.”

2. Following Jesus is hard – Let’s be honest with our kids that Jesus says, “deny yourself” (Matt. 16:24). The world says, “be yourself.” Eng tells his girls, “Discipleship has a cost. This is the way of the King.”

3. Don’t be like the world but be with the world – Friendship with the world is hostility toward God (Jas 4:4). Yet Jesus sends his disciples into the world to make disciples (Matt. 28:19). We are to point people to the Father (Matt. 5:14-16), serve the marginalized (James 1:27), and love neighbors (Matt. 25:40).

4. It is Impossible without God – God makes salvation possible (Mark 10:27), and his work in us empowers us to work out our salvation (Phil. 2:12-13). Eng says, “We are teaching our kids that we meet the standard of discipleship because of God’s enabling.”

5. It will be worth it – Eng says, “We are teaching our kids that the reward for following Jesus far outweighs the cost.” Present sufferings can’t compare to future glory (Rom. 8:17).

A year ago, Jared Wilson used a bit of sarcasm to present six practices that lead our kids away from the faith. His article was titled “How to ‘Disciple’ Your Kids into Church Dropout Status.”

1. Attend church sporadically – Prioritize their sports or your hobbies, and they’ll do the same.

2. Complain about your church – Constant complaining will nurse gradual disillusionment.

3. Insulate them from the rest of the body – Youth group is sufficient; don’t bore them with older adults.

4. Ignore their questions – Don’t talk about sexuality, race, gender, suffering, or the Bible’s reliability.

5. Church hop – Don’t be afraid to find a new church when your tastes change and disappointment grows.

6. Marginalize or muzzle the gospel – Only emphasize the consequences of sin, not the glory of Jesus.

May God help us to point to Jesus in what we say and do as we raise up the next generation! By the way, if your kids or grandkids have read the Harry Potter series, you’ll want to check out a new book by Clay Myatt titled Echoes of the Gospel in Harry Potter (Wipf & Stock). Clay was involved in our church a few years ago when he was a student at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. The link is here.

This Sunday, September 26, I plan to preach 1 Peter 4:10-11 on “Serving Others.” Yes, I know it’s out of order! But we’re focusing on the theme of “Serving Others” during Sunday’s outdoor service. On the family front, my grandson Kolby (8) asked his mom this question earlier in the week: “Mom, why are you and Dad making me do yard work if I’m just going to make my kids do it?” I think the answer is in his question. Then, when his mom asked him who would do yard work until his kids were old enough, he said: “My butler will. I’m going to be rich.” Well, that introduces another issue to address. Parenting is not for the faint of heart. Thanks for reading. Grace and peace to all of you!