As a parent and teacher, I have often struggled with how to encourage my children and students to really “get it” regarding certain biblical truths and a vibrant life of faith. Yes, I fully believe that God is ultimately sovereign. But I also know that He uses means. What are the “means” He uses?
Here are some thought-provoking and heart-challenging words from Tedd and Margy Tripp:
The surest way to teach children to apply God’s truth to all of life’s circumstances is to model it for them. Parenting [and teaching] that exhibits a vital relationship with God in all the joys and storms of life is irresistible to children and young people. Conversely, the surest way to harden our children’s hearts to God and his ways is “having the form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Tim. 3:5).
Our homes are the laboratory of life for our children. They will believe that Christian faith is the genuine article if we know God—not just know about God. As children grow to young adulthood in our churches, they are searching desperately for a faith that has the warmth and vitality of close relationship with the living God, and the sure footing of sound doctrine that will stand the storms of life. Relationship with God is the passionate assurance that the Sovereign God of the Bible can be known by his people in all the experiences of life. Our relationship with God will beckon our children to draw near to him as their source of comfort and rest.
(from Instructing a Child’s Heart, copyright©2008, page 29)
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