How to Parent with Heaven in Mind
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- Updated May 29, 2024
Parents who are followers of Christ should be parenting very differently than their peers.
The Bible warns that only the narrow way leads to eternity spent in Heaven, but the wide, easy road carries us away from God (Matthew 7:13-14). That means if we are doing what everyone else is doing, we are probably not doing it God’s way. As Christ followers, we must humbly lead our families toward Heaven, which will set us apart from what is accepted as normal in our culture.
American culture has normalized so many things for this generation that kids have never been exposed to ever before in all of human history. Cell phone usage is an example of a very powerful technology that did not exist in the way it does now when I was growing up. This untested, powerful tool is being regularly placed in the hands of children without regard for the negative impact these devices have on their growing brains and bodies.
Gender has, for the first time in human history, become a fluid idea that children have been given the power to change and determine even though treatments to alter your gender have not been tested to determine if they are safe for kids.
Books have been replaced with devices in classrooms despite it being proven that kids learn better when they get the chance to read paper books and write on actual paper.
There are so many examples of how our kids are being treated like lab rats in ways that are unprecedented in human history. Even with data that shows us that the wave of the future is harming our kids and not helping them, the tide of culture is so strong parents feel helpless to choose a different way for their kids.
The Enemy Is Here to Steal, Kill, and Destroy
I’m here to tell you that this is the work of the enemy. The evil one does not want the generations to thrive; he is there to steal, kill, and destroy. When we see so many unhealthy trends target our kids, we know that we have to be on the spiritual offense with our families.
As Christ followers we must realize that the world we live in is not neutral. We are called to be active participants in God’s great rescue mission. He calls us to help bring Heaven down (Matthew 6:10), and in order to accomplish this, we cannot be passive. The good news is that as we stand out more in a culture that is increasingly dark, we shine brighter when we live as the lights of Christ. Our kids may be faced with more temptation but also God’s spirit becomes more clear and compelling in a world where lies are rampant. God still has good plans (Jeremiah 29:11) for our kids, even as the enemy ramps up his efforts to pull the next generation farther from Heaven.
Parent with the End Goal in Mind
How do we parent in light of eternity? Well, it’s not easy! The best advice I’ve heard as a parent, though, is to parent with the end goal in mind. Return to this goal as a parent and a family often. It may be helpful to even write down your heart's desire for your kids and a monument to what you are striving for as a family unit.
I pray for my heart's desire over my kids every night as a way to keep us focused on our primary mission as a family. I pray that my kids grow to be people who love the Lord with their hearts, minds, souls, and strength and love their neighbors as Jesus does. This prayer helps to guide the ways we parent and the choices we make as a family. We don’t always get it all right, but when we start feeling like our home is being consumed by things that distract us from knowing God and making him known, we can go back to the drawing board in order to make changes.
Here are some questions to consider when evaluating if your parenting is leading your kids toward Jesus:
What goals are you working towards as a family?
How does the way you spend your time align with this goal?
What relationships are offering encouragement and godly support for your kids?
Does your media honor God, and are you protecting your kids from the dangers of media usage?
What are some verses that stand as anchors for your family life?
How are you making time to teach your kids about Jesus?
Are all the people and places your kids go safe and God-honoring?
Is your walk with God genuine?
Is your child’s mind, body, and soul being nourished and protected to the best of your ability in your home?
There is a way that seems right to man but leads to death (Proverbs 14:12). This is a truth that goes back to the Garden of Eden; our propensity to be led astray is a part of our sin nature. This is why in the New Testament, Paul urges us to be alert (1 Corinthians 16:13-14). Our alertness is not a result of panic or anxiety; rather, it is a state of spiritual awareness that keeps our hearts, minds, and homes fixed on Jesus.
Christian parents, be alert! There is a wide road that wants to lead our kids away from health, love, hope, and truth. We must stand watch on behalf of our kids, living and parenting in our homes with eternity in mind.
The beautiful thing is that the benefit of taking the road less traveled is the joy of raising really amazing and healthy kids! My 11-year-old son told me he knows what kids know about Jesus because they automatically are nicer and more enjoyable to be around. In this dark world, our kids who know and follow Jesus stand out in the best kind of way. God’s way is a way that leads to abundant life (John 10:10). It is the best gift we can give to our kids by far.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/skynesher
