The beginning of the school year often comes with a variety of emotions from parents. There may be excitement, apprehension, fear, nervousness or even joy at the reality that the kids won’t be home during the daytime hours anymore. If your student is in one of those big transition years — entering junior high or high school or beginning their senior year — you’re probably working through all of those emotions at the same time.
You also want your student to excel academically, socially and in their extracurricular activities. This is the time when many parents talk about those things under the banner of helping “get them focused.”
You don’t mean to put additional pressure on your kids. You mean well. After all you just want them to be successful in those things. But is that what we’re really called to do as parents — to help our kids become successful academically, socially, athletically and musically?
Those things are all good. The Bible doesn’t speak against being successful in those areas. In fact it encourages us to do our best in everything we do. But isn’t there something in addition to those types of successes that we as Christian parents should be focusing our kids on?
As Christian parents we should be focusing our kids on the mission of God to take the gospel across the street and across the globe.
This school year try to help your student see the impact they can make for the Kingdom.
1. Pray with them and encourage them to pray.
2. Train them to be missionaries wherever they go, challenging them to look for opportunities to invite their friends to youth group, etc.
3. Model for them what it’s like to be a follower of Jesus all the time.
These are better than high achievement in every area at school — as good and as worthwhile as that is.
Yes, talk to them about the other stuff but don’t make it No. 1 for them. After all, the other stuff exists partly to give them a platform to share the gospel and minister to the groups of people God gives them access to.
(BP)
Share with others: