Raising Elementary Kids: Leading with Purpose

Your family is a team God created to nurture and develop your children into wholehearted followers of Christ. Scripture is clear about your role as a parent: you're teaching and training your kids to one day leave. Kids go; parents stay. Parenting isn't easy, but through Jesus and His church, you can raise godly kids who go on to do amazing things for Him.

You Are the CEO

God's org chart for the family is God, then spouses, then kids. One of the biggest mistakes parents make is handing control of the household over to their children. Kids crave structure and need boundaries — but if you don't set them, they'll find the edges every time. Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it (Proverbs 22:6).

You Are the Disciplinarian

The goal of discipline is simple: to shape your children, with their unique gifts and abilities, to glorify God. The key is consistency. Discipline in childhood helps form your kids into the best version of who God made them to be. Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray (Proverbs 10:17).

You Are the Example

Children learn some through direct teaching, but they learn far more by watching how you live. The heart of good parenting is modeling Jesus as best you can. Your kids should see you spending time in God's Word, serving others, sharing how Jesus has changed your life, and staying committed to His church.

You don't have to figure all of this out alone. A Connect Group surrounds you with other parents who can encourage you and share the journey.