Raising our Youth

"Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers." - 1 Timothy 4:11-16 (ESV)

As a parent, there is a lot to wrestle with in John Piper's sermon entitled, "Let No One Despise You for Your Youth." (Links below)

One area in particular that I'm convicted to bring before God is centered around how we discipline and instruct our children. Parenting is one of the hardest things I've ever been called to do. I'm realizing one of the primary reasons for this difficulty is my own sin and my own selfishness, which go into direct conflict with the my role as a father. God has much to do in me yet. But one central challenge brought about in Piper's message is in how to teach your kids about the gospel from an early age. His words are strong and challenging.

If you are a supporter of "Love and Logic" parenting models, as my wife and I have been, this will be especially challenging. The thing is, love and logic is in essence based on a legalistic framework: good behavior leads to good results, bad behavior leads to punishment. This is undoubtedly necessary in parenting, but if this is only form of discipline your parenting consists of, then your idea of a "successful" child will be one that follows rules, not one who loves and trusts in Jesus. You may indeed have a child who is wonderfully compliant. And though it will appear to be successful, it will fail in the most important respect: the child's hope and trust will be in his/her ability to follow rules, not in Jesus' sacrifice for their sins. I encourage you to listen to this message and wrestle with this and other issues involving the raising of our youth. Please comment on any thoughts you have!

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