Equip and Challenge Them

“You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Let’s talk strategy. Can you imagine a team playing any sport whose main and only objective is to keep the other team from scoring? They have on interest in an offensive play pattern, no offensive goal; they are totally given to a defensive mindset. It’s hard not to laugh at such a foolish strategy, isn’t it? Yet how many well-meaning Christian parents are using that same strategy in rearing their children?

Can you identify yourself as one who thinks (now be honest): “If I can just get my kids through elementary school, middle school, junior high, high school, and on through college and keep them from getting messed up in smoking, doing drugs, becoming rebellious, losing their morality, then I’ve been a successful (winning) parent. I’ve kept my kids on my team.”

Before any of us breaks our arm patting ourselves on the back because we’ve been a great success, if your child has only maintained a good lifestyle and has not been a godly influence to those around them, you have played a completely defensive game and have not scored a point. To win, the opposition only has to score one point.

Equip and challenge your kids to make an impact on their world for Christ.