Fathers and Mothers: Devotions from Time of Graceনমুনা

Parenting: Find a Christian Community I have a few friends who home-school their children. The vast majority of their fellow citizens, however, joyfully take advantage of the best schools that they can find, and my wife and I are among them. It may be possible for two dedicated parents to home-school their children in the Christian faith. In fact, raising your children in the training and instruction of the Lord is not optional. But for most families, seeking out a Christian nurturing community is essential. There is an extensive array of Christian elementary schools and Sunday schools available to you. They are fabulous gifts of God to parents who welcome help in transmitting the faith and in modeling Christian behaviors. Mary and Joseph brought their 12-year-old son to the temple in Jerusalem, not only to offer sacrifices but also to learn from the great teachers there. The young man apparently appreciated the instruction even more than they did--his parents left long before he was ready to leave. “After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions” (Luke 2:46). A congregation also provides parents with a friend network that can share child-raising wisdom and chores. Churches have worship and study materials for your home. And while it is good for Christian children to learn how to function in the “real world,” it is important that they also have peers who love Jesus.