Our children’s good manners, superior education, modest clothing, hard work ethic, community service, Bible verse recitation, or various other “deeds” cannot save them. In all actuality, there is potential here to accidentally cultivate a false sense of security that will become a significant danger to them later. Don’t get me wrong: these are all very good things, and we are wise to train our children in righteousness, diligence, and the like. My entire point is that we must not neglect to train them in humility, compassion and kindness.

How do you teach children that? Do they realize they are sinners? Do they know how far away they are from God? Do they know they need a savior? Or are they like the Pharisee in Luke 18:11 who stood praying to himself, saying “God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.” The publican who had been used as the Pharisees’ “object lesson” would not even look up to Heaven. He beat his chest and cried, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Who do you think was justified? Christ said that, “Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

This is not the easiest thing for me to write, because I know I am guilty of not training my kids in humility by my example. It is easier to have a works-oriented mindset. It is easier to hand out lists than to lead by example. And it is easy to fall into a false philosophy that goes to the other extreme: one that says, “Don’t shelter your kids from the world; let them experience a bit of sin so they will see their need for God.” (Yes, there really is tripe like that making the rounds.)

Nobody said it would be easy. And you, like me, may have days where you are tempted to hand off this huge responsibility to somebody else (somebody you think is “more qualified”). Well, sorry, my friend. God chose you to be your child’s parent. He must know that you are capable for the task. Nothing is impossible with Him. Love God. Know Him. Obey His Word; seek Him first above all else. It is not impossible. It is imperative. It is what we are called to.

God bless you as you seek Him. We are in this together. I pray we will be faithful with the treasure He has given us. 

Jenefer Igarashi is married to Geoff the Great and homeschools her six children (ages 4 – 19) near the Smoky Mountains in East TN. Visit Jen at her blog, http://jeneralities.com/

This article was originally published in the July/Aug 2008 issue of Home School Enrichment Magazine. For more information, and to request a FREE sample issue, visit http://homeschoolenrichment.com/