Parenting with Purpose
by Pat McIntosh
There are few areas in which people become more emotionally responsive than discussing their
children and how to raise them. The debate on “spanking” continues to rage. There are those
who, often heatedly, defend their position, whatever it is. This article is not intended, per se, to
discuss how you choose to discipline. It does deal with whether or not you choose to do so in
whatever manner you deem best.
Parenting is a challenge whether you have one child or five. There is a great deal involved in
“bringing them up in the way they should go” (Prov. 22:6). In this sense, good parenting is not
something that is done accidentally. Good parenting is done on purpose, with specific goals in
mind.
We understand that goals are important in any area of life. Around the first of the year we begin
to think about our “resolutions” for the next year. Often this includes losing weight, getting more
exercise, reading our Bibles more or any other of a number of things that we have at least a small
amount of desire to change. We want to do and be better.
That same concept needs to be applied to parenting. We need to set goals for our children. What
do we want to provide them? Do we want them to go to college? Do we want to help prepare
them for later life? Do we want them to get along with others? More importantly, what kind of
spiritual goals do we have for them? Are those spiritual goals seen as areas of priority or do we
show them in practice that other things are more important?
May we be those who set and attain such goals. We should want what is best for them. Nothing
is more important than their spiritual foundation.
Sunday A.M. Sermon – Parenting with Purpose
- Introduction – Psa. 127:1-5; Gen. 33:5
- Set your sights on the target – 1 Cor. 9:24; Phil. 3:14; Heb. 11:7; Mk. 1:38; 10:45; Deut. 6:6-7; Prov. 22:6; 23:13-14
- Commit to hitting the target – Mk. 10:42-45; Jno. 13:14
- Never give up – Acts 13:43; Gal. 6:9; Heb. 12:1-2
Sunday P.M. Sermon – God’s Love, Justice and Eternity (Rom. 5:5-8