For all the role models I want my children to have, the role model whom they desperately need is me. Children need intentional parents if they are to develop in the most critical areas of life. Are you wanting to make an impact in your children? It’s time to go the second mile in your parenting.

The Problem

• Prioritize placing your children in the most spiritually-nurturing environments as are available.
• The most critical spiritual environment is the one in which you live.
• Parents are called to be the primary evangelists and disciple-makers of their children.
• “Do as I say and not as I do” will not work in discipleship.
• It’s difficult for a hour-long service to combat a week-long environment.

The Progression (Deut. 6:4-9)

• The unrivaled God deserves an unrivaled devotion (6:4-5).
• God’s Word must be the essential guide for every aspect of our lives (6:6).
• Parents must take diligent responsibility for the spiritual formation of their children (6:7).
• We must view discipleship as a process rather than a program (6:7).
• Allow God’s Word to permeate our lives, to fill our homes, and to invade our communities (6:8-9).

The Plan

• What if I don’t present the information correctly?

• Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know."

• Be committed enough to say “I’ll find out."
• Allow this to encourage your own growth (2 Tim. 2:15).
  • Wouldn’t a trained professional be more trustworthy?
• A pastor might know the material better, but he will not know your child better.
• You should be the most constant figure in your child’s life.
• Your involvement will endure even when other role models change.
  • What if I turn them off to Christianity?
• Children aren’t turned off to Christianity if their parents are devoted disciples but if they are fake followers.
• Let your love for Jesus be contagious.
• Your job is to point to a relationship of grace rather than a religion of works.