That They Might Know Him: Practical Advice for Christian Parents

Much like a small seed planted in a garden, God, the Master Gardener, sows a seed of grace into the hearts of our sons and daughters in hopes that they will be fertile ground where His life can grow. A seed requires the right conditions to sprout and bear fruit, but what are those conditions, and are we providing them in our home? As Christian parents living in an unchristian world, we must be very attentive to the kind of environment we are providing for our children. We certainly do not want to hinder the growth of God's seed, and yet there are many common snares, widely accepted by those both in and out of the church, that threaten to entrap our children and foster the growth of wrong things. In everything from home life and family interactions, to our children's school environment, screen time, friendships, and extracurricular activities, we must consider the kind of growth that we are encouraging. A wise parent, just like an attentive gardener, must be intentional and consistent in order to cultivate the ground of their child's heart, while also carefully pulling the many weeds that can quickly overrun their garden.