Goal for Raising (or is that Rearing?) Children

During my time in Germany and some reading I have done since my return has confirmed an important truth about children/students: parents are the primary disciple makers for their children. Those students whose parents are uninvolved in their spiritual life experience a lot more struggles than those whose parents are actively helping to disciple them.

Steve Wright, in the book A Parent Privilege, makes a great argument that parents must be more involved in their children's life. Steve will be speaking at our parenting conference September 21 and 22. You can find out more about the conference by going to the church website.

Steve makes the following statements that are true and provocative:

"Biblical parenting is more than keeping our kids from having sex, using drugs, or going to jail. It is about fostering an awe of God in our children. It is about showing our children their need for a Savior and introducing them to Jesus who alone can rescue their lives from sin and give life that lasts forever."
 
"I would rather my daughter and sons love Jesus than be straight-A students, scholarship athletes, or class presidents. I want godly kids, not just good ones. That is what makes Christian parenting different than what the world wants for their children. That is the difference between good parenting and godly parenting."

What do you want for your children? What goals do you aspire to help your child achieve? Write them down. Now look at where you spend your time and money and what you encourage/allow your children to participate in. Do they move your children towards the goals you just wrote down?
I would argue that most Christian parents would agree with the two quotes by Steve above, but their calendar and checkbook say their real goals are different. Make sure your actions are lining up with your goals for your children.