Following on from LightHouse on the Gospel and Parenting we had a question time. One of the questions asked was about how we can help our children unmask their idols.
It's a great question, in any focus on the heart we need to be both ripping down and replacing. But how do we spot what our children's idols are? One default idol for most children is their parents praise, it is natural that they would want our approval and love so how do we ensure it doesn't become an idol, what they treasure above everything? As parents we need to show our children that we are not perfect, not by deliberately messing up, but by allowing them to play a role in our heart change to be more like Jesus. We must invite our children to see our sin and when appropriate even to confront us with it as they grow up in a way that is loving. the challenge is to build in opportunities in everyday life when this is appropriate.
That is why family devotions and discussion about what we have studied in church are so important. It models that we take the bible seriously and are wanting to change ourselves, that we haven't arrived or are perfect. It also helps children sin that we are accepted in Jesus and so loved by God that we can come to him and know real lasting liberating forgiveness. This will all help free children from wanting an unhealthy level of parental approval.
Another way to spot our children's idols is by examining our own hearts and unmasking our own idols. Discipleship happens as we live life with our children and they will spot what we value, what we treasure and what we live for and assume that is the right way to live. Therefore we will transmit our idols to our children, knowing these will help us with our children, as will rooting them out and replacing them with Christ.
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