Today we address several principles which will help us succeed as strong parents who are prepping our kids for launch into adulthood. This can be a messy process, but the rewards are huge to those who prepare, exhibit diligence, and invite God into the process of building a Strong Home.
A FAMILY CULTURE OF KINDNESS gives your child(ten) a great relational advantage for their success. When our families cultivate kindness (along with discernment) our kids will be able to extend themselves while at the same time doing so in a wise, calculated manner. Kindness is inextricably linked in the Bible with living a useful Kingdom life.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” – Micah 6:8
PRINCIPLED PARTNERSHIPS and discernment about who to walk with and whom to avoid is a huge part of life-prep. How do we make good decision about our associations? What did we learn from our parent’s example about how to live in a circumspect way? How was this conversation addressed in all our years together at home?
“But don’t fool yourselves. Don’t let yourselves be poisoned by this anti-resurrection loose talk. “Bad company ruins good manners.” Think straight. Awaken to the holiness of life. No more playing fast and loose with resurrection facts. Ignorance of God is a luxury you can’t afford in times like these. Aren’t you embarrassed that you’ve let this kind of thing go on as long as you have?” – 1 Corinthians 15:33-34/Message
DINNER TABLE SPIRITUALITY occurs when we communicate about and wrestle with life issues from an early age. How does a child learn to discern? To process? To understand different perspectives? To learn decision processes? A home is supposed to be a safe place for encounter and discussion of different ideas – and discerning what God’s Word brings to us on every subject!
“These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” – Deuteronomy 6:6-7