What is the goal of parenting? Is it raise a “good” kid? Or raise them to be responsible adults? Or just to survive until they leave the house?

My goals have included having great looking, brilliantly smart, NFL playing, and wealthy kids so they can support their parents! Might just be me! These goals are WAY off the mark, at least for a family who trusts and follows Jesus.

For parents those who trust and follow Jesus, we need to consider what He says about the goals of life. I hope the following considerations are helpful in your parenting journey.

Let’s begin, not with parenting in mind, but with the core goal of life. Here’s the question: What is the chief end [i.e. goal] of man?

The first question of the Shorter Catechism of the Westminster Confession of Faith answer this – “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him for ever.” This sets the foundation of our parenting.

We All Have Goals

• We want our children to succeed. This desire is addressed in many ways in our culture.
• Helping parents succeed in becoming successful parents has become a growth industry in America.

Some Common Goals of our “Religious” Culture

1. Special skills: sports, music, scouting, academic achievement, etc.
2. Biblical knowledge/information: youth messages, studies, Sunday school.
3. Good behavior: good but not the primary goal.
4. Good education: is it possible to be well educated and still not understand life?
5. Control kids: I like this goal, don’t we all! But this will not last!

The One True Biblical Objective

The overarching biblical objective is to be consumed with glorifying God and enjoying him forever. Consider these verse in the Bible:

1Corinthians 10:31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (NIV)

Colossians 3:17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (NIV)

Important Point: we must teach our children to function in a culture that has abandoned the knowledge of God.

• Cultural influence has driven parents to take delight in delighting their children with material things.
• This is illustrated by the four year old driving an electric powered Corvette around his driveway.

How Can We Counteract These Influence?

1. It’s not easy. There is no quick solution. But it’s simple!

2. Only in God’s light can we see light. Psalm 36:9 says,
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.

3. As a parent, we need to model thirsting for God. Psalm 63:1 says,
You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.

The goal of these truths is to teach to your children to entrust themselves to God.

Questions to Consider

Pray and talk through these questions with your spouse and/or those helping with your parenting. This has helped my wife and I tremendously:

1. How do you define success in parenting?
2. How would your child(ren) answer, “What do your parents want most for you?”
3. What are the values taught and caught and practiced in your home?
4. Is knowing and loving God enough for you? Your kids?
5. Are you sending mixed messages?
6. What 1-2 steps can you take to bring glorifying God into the center of your parenting this year?

I’d love to hear your feedback and suggestions!