To me a test of your validity and sincerity as a believer is:
Can you pass on your faith to the next generation? The cliche is that the preacher's kids are often the wildest. Witness Lee's son Philip was out of control. It's a real challenge that can be easily blown if you handle it wrong.
I went to an event where the writer of the book
The Shack (soon to be a movie) spoke frankly about his life. His dad was a Christian worker of some sort, but one who showed very little love for his children. He was well-behaved at church, but abusive at home. It's a sad legacy that is repeated all too often.
There is something about we committed Christians who are parents that tends to
expect our kids to be good Christians as a matter of course. This won't work. We need to be proactive in a genuine way.
My approach is simple and basic:
- Love your kids.
- Be holy, but not holier-than-thou.
- Apologize when you've done wrong. Don't protect your image.
- Be genuine.
- Don't be a prude. Have a sense of humor.
- Teach your kids the essentials: Love. Relationships. Prayer. Faith. Trust. The positive rewards of a life entrusted to God.
- A little theology is okay, but don't overdo it. They will tune it out. Always bring it back to a joyful and natural relationship with God.
- Always let them know that they are special to God. Teach them to be content and comfortable with how God made them.
- Laugh a lot. Have a happy home.
- Show them a life of sacrificial love. This where the rubber meets the road. This is what God honors.
- Pray, pray, pray.