As we continue our studies on Family Matters, I want us to make a transition today. This week and next I want to move into the arena of parenting. We've talked about husband-wife and singles' issues. So let's see what the Bible has to say about being an effective parent. Today, I want to talk about a parent's greatest privilege and then next week a parent's greatest challenge.

How many of you are parents and still have children at home? How many grandparents do we have? How many of you want your children/grandchildren to be successful? How many of you want your children to marry and have a successful, thriving marriage? How many of you want your children to be active in church and have a close relationship to God? Now the ultimate question. How many of you want your children to be financially secure enough so they can take care of you in your old age?

What a privilege it would be to see all these things fulfilled with all of your children. It is a no-brainer to say that parenting is a privilege but it is also a responsibility. Maybe you've never considered the privilege part. But raising children is an awesome privilege that God has granted every parent. So really we're talking about a matter of stewardship. Last week we talked about stewardship with our money, the ten percent and the other ninety percent.

Parenting as a matter of stewardship. Stewardship implies that you do not own your children. They belong to God. When you first held your child in your arms and tears welled up in your eyes, that was God's baby you were holding. He entrusted each of your children to your care and calls you to be a faithful steward.

When we talk about parenting being a privilege, one privilege reigns supreme above all the others. Parenting's greatest privilege is leading your children to Christ and helping them become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. What parent does not want the best for his/her children? We all want to see them succeed. So we focus on the physical realm and make sure they eat the right foods. No cupcakes until you eat your green beans. We sign them up for soccer, dance, and karate.

And we focus on the mental aspect. We sign them up for summer reading. We stay in close communication with their teachers or we homeschool. We work with them to get their SAT's up so that more scholarship money will be available for college. And we focus on the social aspect as well. We want them involved. We make sure they choose good friends. We drop them off at the dance or the birthday party. All of these things make up what it means to be a good parent. We take this stewardship thing seriously.

Can I drop the bomb now? What about the spiritual? Why does the spiritual so often get relegated to the back seat? Why do we tend to place so much emphasis on the physical, mental, and social and then neglect the spiritual, which is the most important part of your child's life. What if he becomes the class valedictorian yet doesn't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? What if she becomes Miss America but doesn't have a clue what happens after she dies? What if he gets an athletic scholarship to USC or to Clemson, but he has no understanding of God's purpose for his life? Unless you're vitally involved in helping your children grow to be fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ, you are missing out on parenting's greatest privilege.

Our church's vision statement reads, "We exist to help people connect with God and become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ." Did you know that this statement also represents what should be your vision statement as a parent? As a parent, my vision is to help my children connect with God and become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. What an awesome privilege.

Maybe you've done a great job and your children are walking with Christ. Or maybe, you've neglected this greatest privilege and you feel a ton of guilt. My prayer is that you will begin today to start assuming responsibility for the spiritual nurture of your children, no matter how old/young they may be. Grandparents, my prayer is that you will see the vital role you can play in the spiritual development of your grandchildren.

From the beginning of time God established the family unit as the means by which His truth would be passed from generation to generation. Not the school, not the church, not the government. The family. In the book of Genesis, God was engaged in a heavenly dialogue about Abraham. Let's listen in to what he said. "For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him" (Genesis 18:19). For what purpose did he choose Abraham? To guide his children and grandchildren in the ways of God.

You find this theme all through the pages of the Bible. When God was instructing His people on His plans to get them out of Egypt, He laid out the specifics of the Passover. Then He told them after it was all over to be sure to tell their children how God delivered them. On the plains of Moab as they were getting ready to enter the promised land, God told His people to remember how He provided for them and to teach these things to their children and grandchildren. In the New Testament, we learn how Timothy had developed such a close relationship with the Lord. Paul writes, "I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also" (2 Timothy 1:5).

We are reminded of parenting's greatest privilege throughout the Bible. But there is no passage that speaks to this truth as clearly as Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Read the verses with me. This passage is one of the best loved and most important sections of Scripture for Jews and Christians alike. Jewish families loved, memorized, taught, discussed, and practiced these words.

These verses are known as the Shema, based on the Hebrew word for hear, the first word in verse 4. Verse 4 is a difficult verse to translate in the original language. Basically, in the Hebrew language the verse has four words, which translated into English, are Yahweh, our God, Yahweh, one. Even though the exact wording is hard to translate, the meaning is crystal clear. Yahweh was to be the only object of Israel's worship, allegiance, and love. Verse 5 stresses that the Hebrews were to love God with an undivided loyalty.

Then in verses 6-9, God tells them in very practical ways how they were to live out their faith. The role of the family was central. Yes, through modern technology we have more means of communicating God's truth. You can go online and engage in intensive Bible studies, take a virtual tour of the Holy Land, and listen to podcasts from your favorite preachers. But none of these means of educations should ever serve as a substitute for the home. Don't hand off parenting's greatest privilege to anyone. And that's what these verses are teaching.

God was telling parents that His truths should permeate every aspect of their lives. All through the day, parents were to look for those moments. They were to set aside time for instruction in the faith. Day and night they were to impress these words on their children. The word means "to sharpen." It's the picture of rubbing in. They were to rub in these teachings to their children so that the command to love God would never be forgotten.

Although God probably intended these words to be interpreted figuratively, at some point in Jewish history, families began to apply the truths literally. They wrote the Shema on small scrolls, placed them in small containers, and bound them on their heads and arms. At their homes the Jews began the practice of placing these verses in small metal boxes (mezuzahs) by their door and gates. When someone entered the gate or door, he would salute the metal box.

Let me wrap up this teaching by giving parents three truths I see in these verses. Based on these truths I want you to measure how well you have done in leading your children to Christ and helping them become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. But, more importantly, I want you to begin today to move in the direction of living out this great privilege.

First, parents, strengthen your own relationship with Jesus. The order in which these words appear in Deuteronomy are not by accident. Before you can effectively impart spiritual truths to your children, they must first be a vital part of your own life. Verse 5 says to love God with your whole heart. Verse 6 says these words are to be on your heart. Only then does the Shema move into the arena of teaching your children. Generally speaking, children will walk in the steps of their parents. If they see how dear God's truth is to you, they are more apt to accept its genuineness for their life.

Second, parents, Christian education begins at home. Oh, how I wish parents today took this truth as seriously as the Jewish parents did in the Old Testament. Talk to your children about Jesus. Pray with them. Read Bible stories to them. Tell them how you came to know Christ. Tell them about how prayer gives you strength to face the day's challenges.

Our church wants to walk alongside you. We can work with your kids an hour or two each week, but think of the impact you could have if you fleshed out parenting's greatest privilege. When your kids grow up and become successful, it makes you feel proud. But let me tell you, there is no greater sense of fulfillment than knowing your children are walking with God.

I love leading children to Christ. Virginia, Troy, and Kyle love leading your children to Christ. But, parents, there is no greater joy than leading your own children to Christ. In the future the children's ministry plans to offer a seminar for parents called, "Leading Your Child to Christ." Jump on that one.

Third, parents, Christian education must permeate all of life. Leading your children to Christ and helping them move toward spiritual maturity is not just a matter of reading a Bible story or praying together. Discipling your children happens inside the home and outside the home. It happens when they see you keeping your cool when it would be easy to lose it. It happens when they see you tell the truth when you could have easily lied. It happens at the Sunday dinner table when you talk about pastor's sermon. It happens when they see you reading the Bible or praying. You must learn to weave Christian education into the everyday, normal flow of life. You must make faith an integral part of every aspect of life.

So let me ask you. Can your children tell that your walk with God is the most important thing in your life? Do they see that your faith is consistent with how you live each day?

Let me share a verse that every parent should memorize and long to be true in their lives. The writer, John the Apostle, was speaking about his spiritual children. But apply these words to your sons and daughters. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth" (3 John 4).

Words can't express my gratitude and the joy that fills my heart in knowing that Kenny, Kevin, and Tyler are walking with God. One of the things I regularly ask my prayer partners to pray is that my three boys will become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. There have been many times Anita and I wondered how they would turn out. And we realize that any one of them could go astray tomorrow. We can't control that. But, oh, the joy of knowing that my children are walking in the truth.

Parents, what a privilege God has given you. There's nothing greater than leading your children to Christ and nurturing them in their spiritual journey. I urge you, beginning today, to strengthen your own walk with Jesus, to provide Christian education in your home, and to let your faith permeate all of life so that your children can see Christ living in you.