Most Christian parents believe two things about their duty as parents: first, that they ought to discipline and correct their children (i.e., spanking); second, that they ought to teach and train them. And I agree that these two things are vital to a parent’s duty. But if you limit your parenting to spanking and family devotions, you have missed the most crucial element of parenting God’s children.

God intends for parents to pass along to their children the culture of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Spanking and having devotions are good and right and Biblical, but not enough. I have witnessed many families who were absolutely and unwaveringly committed to these two things, and today, their children want nothing to do with them. If you do these things but do not intentionally establish a culture of the Lord in your home, you have not done your duty as a parent.

Sadly, we rarely discuss what it means to build a culture of the Lord, especially in our circles. Parents are far more likely to hear teaching and preaching on discipline and correction than any other element of parenting. Teaching and training sometimes take a backseat to the topic of correction. But teaching on the culture of the home is nearly non-existent, and it shows.

Continue reading “Raising a Godly Seed, part 2” →