Whenever I speak to a group of parents, I always push them to think with the end in mind. Parents must have a strategic plan for what they want their kids to know when they leave them at 18. Too often, we get so wrapped up in the moment that we forget to look ahead. If we are not willing to sacrifice in a redemptive way, our kids are going to get their vision of godly manhood/womanhood from someone or something else. I see the results of this every single day and I promise you don’t want that to happen.
Last week, I read an article about the coach who was hired to get former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton ready for the draft and his future career in the NFL. It was quite interesting to read about his approach to teaching Cam about NFL defenses. Here is a part of the article:
In order to challenge him, Whitfield routinely asked college students at the University of San Diego — where Newton trained — to join their classroom sessions. Once they sat down, Whitfield would leave the room and have Newton teach those same kids the defensive concepts.
“I didn’t judge him on what he knew,” Whitfield said. “I judged him off what they knew.”
What if we judged our own parenting on what our kids know? I am not talking about head knowledge. I am talking about biblical discipleship and life ready skills.
How would you do? Would your kids leave for college being able to apply biblical truth within the context of everyday life? Would your kids be fully capable of functioning as life ready adults when they leave your house?
It is not the job of the church to disciple your kids. It is yours.
It is not the job of the school to teach your children the necessary life ready skills to thrive on their own. It is yours.
This is a tough parenting challenge for me. It has motivated me to make sure that I am strategic and intentional in my conversations and teaching. Strategic parents are willing to sacrifice in order to help teach and guide their kids to make gospel centered decisions in every area of their life.
I pray that this challenge will motivate us all to be more focused and intentional with our kids. Make the sacrifice! I promise you it will be worth it.
Cam Newton and a Tough Parenting Challenge
Whenever I speak to a group of parents, I always push them to think with the end in mind. Parents must have a strategic plan for what they want their kids to know when they leave them at 18. Too often, we get so wrapped up in the moment that we forget to look ahead. If we are not willing to sacrifice in a redemptive way, our kids are going to get their vision of godly manhood/womanhood from someone or something else. I see the results of this every single day and I promise you don’t want that to happen.
Last week, I read an article about the coach who was hired to get former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton ready for the draft and his future career in the NFL. It was quite interesting to read about his approach to teaching Cam about NFL defenses. Here is a part of the article:
In order to challenge him, Whitfield routinely asked college students at the University of San Diego — where Newton trained — to join their classroom sessions. Once they sat down, Whitfield would leave the room and have Newton teach those same kids the defensive concepts.
“I didn’t judge him on what he knew,” Whitfield said. “I judged him off what they knew.”
What if we judged our own parenting on what our kids know? I am not talking about head knowledge. I am talking about biblical discipleship and life ready skills.
How would you do? Would your kids leave for college being able to apply biblical truth within the context of everyday life? Would your kids be fully capable of functioning as life ready adults when they leave your house?
It is not the job of the church to disciple your kids. It is yours.
It is not the job of the school to teach your children the necessary life ready skills to thrive on their own. It is yours.
This is a tough parenting challenge for me. It has motivated me to make sure that I am strategic and intentional in my conversations and teaching. Strategic parents are willing to sacrifice in order to help teach and guide their kids to make gospel centered decisions in every area of their life.
I pray that this challenge will motivate us all to be more focused and intentional with our kids. Make the sacrifice! I promise you it will be worth it.