ARTICLE: How to Raise a Pagan Kid in a Christian Home

The article, “How to Raise a Pagan Kid in a Christian Home,” offers a helpful perspective about the purpose of parenting. It is not to raise good moral citizens, but to raise disciples of Jesus whose lives have been transformed by his grace.

Too many times, (Christian) parents have it as their goal to make their kids good and moral. It is as if the entire purpose of their family’s spiritual life is to shape their children into law-abiding citizens who stay out of trouble. The only problem with this goal is that it runs in stark contrast to what the Bible teaches. The gospel is not about making bad people moral, but about making dead people alive. If we teach morality without the transforming power of the gospel and the necessity of a life fully surrendered to God’s will, we are raising moral pagans.

According to the author, the “American dream plus Jesus” does nothing more than merely produce “good, moral pagans.” This article forces Christian parents who are serious about discipling their children to honestly evaluate what their objectives truly are. It is challenging, but fresh and insightful. Check it out.

Article – How to Help Your Kids Fall Deeper in Love With God

The following article (click image below) speaks to the heart of EMC’s Children and Youth Ministry. It is in the home, with the church supporting and walking alongside, where God asks us to disciple our children. It is in the home where real life happens and where real, authentic love for God takes root. It is in the home where children see us, their parents, their life-examples, living out, or not living out, our faith and obedience to our Lord and Savior. This article offers 3 specific ways for parents to obey God’s call to raise our children up in Him. “We are in this together. Parents the church is for you, we are ready to fight for your children with you.” – Erin Woodfin

Spring Soul-Cleaning

Spring cleaning. It stinks and nobody likes it.

Yet when we do it, we realize something surprising–We collect junk!

Every year I’m shocked by how much garbage we’ve collected and how much grime we accumulated. I don’t feel like we collect junk or hold onto things too long, but when we take time to analyze everything we haven’t touched for a year, we see how much junk we really have. Continue reading Spring Soul-Cleaning

A Helpful Distinction

“Discipline a child for being disobedient, not for being a child. Be patient with mere immaturity”-Gavin Ortlund

I feel a little ashamed that I needed this common sense quote. Like a lot of common sense, it hit me like a ton of bricks after I read it.

Having a two-year-old, I’m constantly confronted by senseless and frustrating immaturity. Whining to have shoes put on only to immediately remove them. Going to the potty, demanding to be cleaned up, then promptly sitting back on the potty to go again. Using mash potatoes like shampoo: lather, rinse, repeat.

Her immaturity often makes me have to do work, which can make it frustrating but it’s still just the result of her childish immaturity.

Since this quote has stuck with me, every time I feel myself getting frustrated I ask myself, “Is this disobedience or immaturity?” When I recognize it as immaturity, I find myself calming down (most of the time).

If we discipline mere childishness, we disrupt peace because the child can’t be a child. When we discipline disobedience, we are creating peace (though disrupting a false peace).

I hope this distinction provides you with guidance as you deal with your own children’s disobedience and immaturity.

Keeping Christmas About Christ
christmas-family

Pastor Aaron’s article this month on establishing activities in the home to immerse children in the rhythms of holy time makes some excellent points concerning how to disciple our children by means of forming seasonal liturgies. How fitting it is to think about these ideas during a holy season such as Advent! Is there a season in the year when Christians face a greater threat of “rival liturgies” than at Christmastime? Continue reading Keeping Christmas About Christ