Some core biblical values to consider.
When Mindi and I were expecting our first child, we did the typical “new parent” things.
- We read books on pregnancy. (and we watched a video or two like the one at the bottom of this post)
- We read books on parenting.
- We talked a lot about our hopes and dreams for our family.
It was a very exciting time.
But one of the most important conversations we had, had to do with the “biblical values” we wanted to characterize our home and family.
Have you given that much thought?
Since our goal was to have a Christ-centered home, we wanted the things characteristic of God/Christ to be characteristic of our home and family.
Here is a short-list of things that we saw as “nonnegotiable” for our home.
THE INDWELLING OF CHRIST
In Galatians chapter 2, verse 20 Paul wrote…
This is one of the most important biblical values we taught our kids. Everything else we had to teach them depended on this one.
Admittedly, it’s one of the deeper truths of the New Testament… even difficult for adults to grasp at times (which is one reason why I’m making a video curriculum on the topic).
Of course, we brought it down to their level, but we didn’t down-play or soften its meaning or significance in doing so.
Our kids need to recognize that their Christian life is not about a “new law” they are to follow (which is how many people deal with the New Testament).
They (and we) need to understand that because of their faith in Christ, they have Jesus Himself living in and through them via the power of the Holy Spirit.
The promise of new life is no joke.
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Who Am I? By Frank Friedmann / Evergreen Press ~ There is a difference between doing and being. A delightful story that teaches children this truth: what they do does not determine who they are. |
Practically…
We talked about these truths from day one, when they were infants, when they were toddlers, when they were beginning to learn the basics of language, and beyond… to this day.
We read them books that taught and emphasized these truths (see the box on the right for one of our favorites.**)
We talked to them in the course of real life about Jesus living in them.
We drew out examples from their attitudes and behaviors where we could see Christ producing His fruit in them.
We encouraged them to learn to listen to the Spirit in the decisions and actions of daily live.
This one is foundational. It is what is underneath every other one I will mention. If it’s not, then all you are doing is raising little legalists.
TRUTH/HONESTY
Jesus said, in John chapter 18, verse 27
Truth is a big deal to God. It always has been. From the entrance of sin in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1) we see God dealing with untruth quite severely.
As parents, we not only wanted our children to understand that lying (even white lies) was bad – but WHY it was wrong.
Lying (untruth) is wrong because it violates the very nature and character of God.
He created language to reveal truth. When it is used to pervert truth (to say lies), it is not being used for its intended purpose and brings dishonor to God, the Creator of language.
Practically…
That meant that we decided, even before our children were born, that lying or deceit would be dealt with immediately and seriously.
Spankings were almost always the punishment for lying.
It was dealt with sternly.
If deceit was part of it… things got even worse.
Think it through… if Christ is to be the center of the home, then truth must be central to that home as well.
LOVE/CONSIDERATION
In first John chapter 14, verse 8 the scriptures teach that love is another thing that is fundamental to God’s nature.
And notice the way this verse connects the dots…
GOD IS LOVE…
THEREFORE ANYONE WHO KNOWS HIM WILL BE LOVING.
As parents, we not only wanted our kids to be “nice,” we wanted them to understand that being “loving” was a reflection of the character of God, and of their relationship with Him.
Practically…
It meant that we taught our kids about God, and His love for them.
It meant that we led them to place their faith in Him.
We taught them how their relationship with God had to impact their relationships with others.
When one of them was being greedy, or petty, or intentionally cruel toward their sibling – we responded immediately and strongly.
We didn’t say, “Oh, that’s how brothers are…” or “Brothers and sisters fight… that’s just the way it is.”
No.
We refused to allow that to be the case, because we knew that the God who lived in them desired to make His love known through them.
And we knew that as we guided them in understanding, He would guide them personally in applying it.
Tell me how these ideas strike you. Have you had these kinds of conversations together as parents? Are you beginning these kinds of conversations with your spouse?
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