“After the whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served the Baals. They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them” Judg. 2:10-12”.
The most important assignment of parenting is to lead your children into experiences with God. First, to present the message of salvation to them and provide the unpressured invitation to receive Christ as their Saviour and Lord….to become ‘born-again’ as Jesus commanded. John 3:3-7.
From there, every other step of their Christ-life journey, the parent(s) lead the way…in example, discussion, and uncoerced opportunity. This responsibility is the greatest responsibility that parents have. You can provide the best schools for the best education and prepare them for the best career and best income…but if they live their whole lives and die and go to Hell, what value was it to neglect their eternal soul?
No person is a Christian because his or her parents were a Christian. Salvation is a personal faith transaction between a child or adult and the Holy Spirit. Start the conversations that continue until the child is well established in salvation, water baptism, Holy Spirit baptism, miracles of healing and provision and daily Bible-based devotions. Yes, other aspects of training are important – do those as well, but don’t neglect the eternal and this-life enabling training….