Note: The final devos of 2024 will be based on Pastor Mark & Grace’s new workbook “Parenting on Point.” To get a physical copy, visit realfaith.com/donate through the end of the year.
Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:29-30
While many Christians may not see Mark 12:29-30 as a parenting text, we see Jesus’ words as the point of parenting. To raise a child, you need to first determine what the goal, objective, or point is. Otherwise, you don’t know what your priorities should be and whether you’re doing a good job parenting your child. While a Biblical worldview, good grades, and obedience to authority may be good things, those are not the ultimate point of parenting.
To be a parent is to help fulfill the Great Commission of making disciples who live for Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the point of parenting according to Jesus’ words, for people big and small, is to know who the real God is and love Him with your emotional life (heart), spiritual life (soul), mental life (mind), and physical life (strength). These are the categories our journey will examine.
When your child knows the love of God and responds by loving God with their whole person, the resulting overflow of life in the Spirit will be a love for others that manifests in service, generosity, forgiveness, compassion, and healthy, godly relationships.
Therefore, the goal of parenting is to work with the Lord on the inner life of yourself and your child, knowing that when their inner life is godly and healthy, their outer life will be as well. Sadly, too much parenting instruction focuses on the outer life of a child and tries to change what they say and do when the gospel of Jesus Christ is much deeper and focused on changing who they are. How they live is then a byproduct of new life in Christ.
We hope that the Holy Spirit meets with you today to help you take the next step in your parenting journey. If you would like any other Bible teaching from us, including resources for men, women, and marriage, just visit realfaith.com or download the RealFaith app.
If you’re a parent, take some time to reflect on your current parenting goals. Do they align with what Jesus says the goal should be? If you’re not yet a parent, it’s not too early to make goals for your future children. Read 1 Chronicles 29:11 out loud and worship the Lord for His greatness.
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