Parents are called to encourage the spiritual growth of their children.
I. Recognize and Resist discouraging parental practices (4a)
- Unreasonableness
- Fault finding
- Inconsistency
- Playing favorites
- Harshness
- Comparing to others
- Failure to express approval and love
- Overprotection
- Neglect or withdrawal
II. Engage and Encourage your children’s spiritual growth (4b)
- Bring them up (raise/guide/shepherd)
- In the discipline of the Lord
- In the instruction of the Lord
The most important component of our children’s spiritual growth is their security in the finished work of Christ. Our main parenting goal is for our children to know, rest in, and follow Christ. Every other aspect of their life flows from their identity in Christ.