Page 3 of 3Our identity doesn't come from what we have; it comes from whose we are (2 Corinthians 10:17-18). The person who has Christ doesn't need society's approval, but the approval of the creator of the universe.
It is a challenge to raise godly children in an ungodly world. Everyday our children receive messages that contradict God's Word. It's our job as parents to help our children learn discernment. Without God's values instilled in them, they will quickly conform to the world.
The most effective way to teach our children about godliness is to model it. Teaching them Scripture will enable them to recognize when they are being deceived. If our children become grounded in the truth, they will have a chance at refuting wrong thinking and poor values. When our children learn contentment and experience God meeting their deepest needs, they will be less likely to search for other things to fill their longings.
We can encourage our children to develop an attitude of gratitude for what they have received by being grateful ourselves. Reminding them that believers are fully accepted and totally pleasing to God can diminish their attempts to find acceptance and approval elsewhere. By teaching our children God's values, helping them recognize and refute the world's lies, helping them develop the right perspective about things and teaching them what success is according to God, we can develop disciples who will one day follow Jesus. Isn't that what we really want?
Anne Peterson is a writer, speaker, and poet. She blogs at annepeterson.com.
1 Boundaries with Kids, Zondervan, 2001
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