Photo albums of our children are full of memories showcasing the highlight reels of one’s life. There are the birth pictures, the pictures of school, activities, vacations, etc. When parents are asked about their children this is generally what is talked about. In fact, most are concerned about being able to provide for vacations, able to pay for the education of their children, etc. These flashy highlights in our lives actually have very little to do with the primary role we have as parents. Even concerning their upbringing concerning the things of God we talk highlights: the child was baptized, received communion, was confirmed, went to church on a regular basis. This mindset at it’s best gives a child religion and might make someone believe in God, but has little to nothing to do with the difficult job of actually discipling our children which is our primary responsibility. We along with our spouses are given the awesome responsibility of doing the job that few notice, the job of raising a disciple. A child who is forced to jump through the religious hurdles without understanding why, will abandon this shallow walk as soon as they can and as soon as the world frames it’s argument as to the ignorance of such a view. The child who is consistently trained and shown the reality of just who Jesus is, through His Word, will be challenged, may backslide here and there, but the quiet work of discipleship will be like a light on that path which they will continue to find.

We read in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Raising children is not a formula done in a mechanical fashion. Being led by the Holy Spirit, we learn how to approach each child individually for the things of God. Our role is not to move our children from dependence on us to independence. It is about bringing our children to the point of making a personal decision for Jesus Christ, so that they move from dependence on us to dependence on Him. Moses spoke of this responsibility in Deuteronomy 6:6-7, “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.” How do we gain this wisdom to impart? We read in2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, And is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Solomon shows what this looks like in Proverbs 22:17-21, “Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your heart to my knowledge; For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; Let them all be fixed upon your lips, So that your trust may be in the Lord; I have instructed you today, even you. Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, That you may answer words of truth To those who send to you?”

It is so easy to get distracted as parents and miss out on what our primary responsibility truly is. It is not about the right school, the right team, the right career, it is about getting into a relationship with the One True God. Even if we missed out on this opportunity when they were young, parents never stop being parents. Even if your adult children no longer live in the house, we can and should still reach out to disciple our children. Even if our children don’t ask for it or want it, they need it. Every aspect of our current world will seek to devour our children and pull them from God. May we roll up our sleeves and do what God ordained us each to do, disciple our children. Whether this be going through the Bible together and speaking daily, weekly, etc. Pick whatever works for your schedules, but may we all take this responsibility seriously. It truly is a matter of where they spend eternity.