Raising Our Children to Be Successful Spiritually

By Brian Mitchell       In the sports world, it is said that championships are won or lost in the preparation.  In other words, those who put the most into their preparation, usually have the greatest success when it is time to put that preparation  into  practice.  The same principle applies in Christianity, especially as they relate to our children.  Those young people who go on from their parents to live successful lives, especially in the spiritual sense, are many times the ones who were prepared the best before they left.     It is for this reason that Paul exhorts parents to “bring their children up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph.6:4). Preparation to be successful spiritually involves 2 aspects as we see from an example in the OT—Teaching by example—Deut.6:1-3 and Teaching by word—Deut.6:6-9.  As we have noted, Jesus grew in intellect, in stature, and in favor with God and man. In favor with God indicates that Jesus grew spiritually as He walked this earth and following His example of growth, we too must help our own children understand the importance of continued spiritual growth.     In this lesson we will examine how we can help our children grow in spirit. Real and lasting spirituality comes from a close and personal relationship with God and that is something that every person must develop for themselves. Thus, the greatest thing we can share with our children is our own personal relationship with God so that they might develop their own. In the end they must develop their own because no one can live off of another’s relationship forever.     Perhaps the song “Without Him” expresses best the blessings which come from a close relationship with God and the consequences of not having that relationship. “Without Him I would be nothing, without Him I’d surely fail. Without Him I would be drifting, like a ship without a sail. Without Him I would be dying, without Him I’d be enslaved. Without Him life would be hopeless, but with Jesus, thank God, I’m saved.”     What blessings can our children expect to enjoy when they grow closer to God? The blessings of God’s comfort—2 Cor.1:3-4. In times of sorrow, when facing death—Ps.23:1-6, when overwhelmed by the trials of life—Jm.1:2-6 and when weighted down with concerns for others—Eph.6:21-22.      We have the assurances of God. That He cares for us—1 Pet.5:7, that He will never forsake us—Heb.13:5-6 and that all things will work out  for  our  ultimate  good—Rom.8:28.  We  have  the  promise  of heavenly peace—Jn.14:23, Jn.16:33 and Prov.16:7. These are just a few of  the  blessings  that  we  and  our  children  can  enjoy  by  growing  up spiritually.

- Brian Mitchell serves as a minister with the Jackson Church of Christ in Jackson, MO. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at https://www.jacksonchurchofchrist.net