#1. A Really Big God they can trust no matter what.
#2. Someone else who believes what they believe.
#3. Another voice that says the same thing their parents say.
#4. Nosey parents who make it their business to know where their kids are spiritually.
DO THE MATH--The average child will spend over 100 hours every year in school and they will spend less than 50 hours in church. The average parent has over 10 times more opportunities to discuss spiritual issues in one year than a church leader does in 10 years! The church has limited potential to impact the heart of your child. What happens at home in many ways is more important than what happens at church.
Think about it--you talk to your kids about who they are hanging out with. You're there when they play sports. You show up at their dance recitals and you take them to piano lessons.
You're there when things matter to your kids. A good thing to remember is that the only thing that really matters--the only thing that will matter in a hundred years is your child's relationship with God. So, make it your business to know where they are and what they are thinking about when it comes to faith.
Kris - I just wanted to thank you for this series of posts. As a new mom on the front side of parenting a daughter, I appreciate your wisdom and hindsight when it comes to raising Godly, *well adjusted* girls. Your two are beautiful women of God, and you are doing a FINE job!! I look forward to parenting Elizabeth if she turns out half as good as Kelsey and Courtney!
Posted by: Ginny | April 17, 2009 at 07:03 PM