SInk or Swim

When my kids were younger, we signed them up for swimming lessons with a lady who was known for being able to teach anyone to swim in just a couple of weeks.  In fact, most kids would be jumping off the diving board and swimming like a pro by the end of the swimming lessons.

So many things in life are a sink or swim situation.   Parenting can feel like that at times.  As a parent to three great kids I was never fully prepared to disciple, train,teach, and cultivate them spiritually.  I certainly didn’t take that class at Bible College!  

Parenting is the hardest job that I have ever had.  There’s that pressure to be proficient in so many areas:  math, sports, braiding hair. For many parents, myself included, it’s easier to go play catch with their son than to tell them a story from the Bible.  I enjoy both of those things but the latter is more challenging.  I don’t think I’m alone in this. 

Many parents struggle with being the spiritual leader in their home.  Most parents want to spend time with their kids.  They have good intentions about talking to their kids on a deeper level.  They want to share their faith.  The problem is – they don’t know how.  

While church is important, God designed the family to be the primary place where discipleship happens.  So the church’s job is to come alongside families and help them fulfill the instructions given in Deuteronomy.  

In Deuteronomy 6:4-9 the Bible clearly teaches that parents are to spiritually train their children or to lead in the provision of spiritual development for their children:  “Hear, O Israel:  The Lord our God, the Lord is One.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on door frames of your houses and on your gates.” 

I want to invite you to the Inspire Kids Parent Cue Event that’s happening on November 8, right after church in the Youth Center.  We believe that parents can leverage the moments that exist in the rhythm of their daily lives to raise a generation that has an everyday faith.  

Our Parent Cue Event is primarily about providing tools for you as parents that cue you to start a conversation, capture a moment, or instill truth in your kids.  We will also be giving you a calendar of events, sharing about ways that you can get involved, and also be opening up for a Q and A time.  Lunch is provided.  During the Parent Cue, your kids will be having lunch up in Howard Hall along with doing some fun activities.  Parents, I hope you can make it.