Page 30 - THE MISIONARY 2

As parents, our purpose and our work is to raise
the eternal citizens of Heaven for the honor and

glory of God

THE UPBRINGING OF THE CHILDREN

written by Pastor Steve Flinchum

arenting is potentially one evidenced in birth, death, or genealo-
of the most rewarding things gical records. But, in the often used
we do in this life. With it co- sense of the word to mean youths or
mes
P great responsibility that adolescents, some have rightly stated,
each will have to answer to (2 Corint- “we should be raising adults,
hians 5:10). It is not something we not children.” In an article titled,
can go back and do over. So many “We’re Not Raising Children—We’re
of the dangers and threats that Raising Adults,” Carolyn Morrison
surround us could be preven- wrote, “Do you set out to make bread
ted by godly parenting. It may dough or to make bread? Do you set
be easy to complain of and criticize out to make cake batter or to make a
“this new generation” but at some cake? Following this line of thinking,
point we must ask what generation are you raising children, or are you
raised them and if there is something raising adults?” Sure, children
faulty in the method. should be allowed to be children, god-
As with any successful journey or ly children, but the responsible parent
endeavor, there must be some fore- must look ahead with a higher aim.
sight and consideration of the goal. A We cannot raise entitlement-
target is seldom hit without taking minded, selfseeking, protesting
aim. “Where there is no vision, the subjects and expect to have ci-
people perish...” (Proverbs 29:18). tizens and heroes. Parenting is a
Where there is no perception of ac- much higher calling than just raising
countability, there will be the natural leaders, heroes, and good citizens for
course of decay. There is a sense of their time on earth. As parents, our
the word children in which a child of purpose and our job is to raise eternal
a parent is and will always be that pa- citizens of Heaven for the honor and
rent’s child even centuries later as glory of God.
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