Raising Kids Who Loves Jesus

As Christian parents, we all want our children to grow into a strong and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. But just wanting that to happen
won't make it happen. We need to follow a specific plan to nurture the spirituality of our children.

In my book, Winning the Parenting War, I talk a lot about my dad, Bill Clarke. In this section from chapter thirteen, I describe some strategies my
dad used to encourage my brother and me to grow closer to Jesus:

Do what my dad did when I was growing up. My dad is the most godly man I know. He had the most impact on my spiritual life of anyone in my childhood. That's because he was my dad. If I can follow, and if you can follow, Bill Clarke's spiritual building progam, we'll be doing all we can to
help our kids grow in Christ. I say "program" because it was a program. He wanted to grow spiritually himself, and he wanted my brother Mark and me to grow spiritually. My dad repeatedly told Mark and me: "There's nothing more important in life than a vital, growing relationship with Jesus Christ." But he didn't just say it. He took action to make it happen in our lives.

My dad modeled a godly lifestyle. He had a relationship with Jesus Christ that worked. I wanted a relationship with Christ like the one he had.
One of the vivid memories etched in my mind is of my dad in his chair in the family room, every morning of my life, having his devotions. He had the Bible open, plus a few other books: Bible study aids, devotional guides, etc. Every morning, without fail, I could count on Dad doing his devotions like
the sun coming up. Even when I got up at different times--weekends, holidays--Dad would be there. I finally figured out years later that Dad
made sure I saw him, no matter when I got up. I guess Dad figured if I saw him having his quiet time with God every morning, I'd realize how important
God was to him. Maybe I'd be motivated to develop my own quiet time as an adult. Right on both counts. I have a daily quiet time, and I want my kids to see me doing it.

Dad talked a lot about his spiritual life. Hardly a day went by when he didn't share with Mark and me some spiritual tidbit from his day. God did this. God did that. I've prayed about this issue, and God answered today. I talked to a man about Christ this morning, and he became a Christian. Listen to what I learned in my Bible study this morning. I met with some men from church for lunch and we talked about how God is leading each of us in unique ways. Man! I got the impression all my dad thought about all day was God.

My dad led a once-a-week family devotional time. It wasn't too long. Just twenty or thirty minutes. He was always prepared and had something to teach. He didn't just show up and wing it. He taught briefly from the Bible, shared personally, and added a practical application. We always prayed at the end. When I was a teenager, with a rotten attitude during devotions, he tolerated me. I didn't want to be there, and the whole world
knew it. My dad didn't let it bother him. He just kept on going. I look back now with fond memories of those devotional meetings. It wasn't just what I learned that made a difference in my life. It was Dad's rock-solid faithfulness week in and week out that impressed me. Unless the house burned
down, we were going to have devotions once a week in that family room.

My dad was a praying man. I saw him pray silently during his morning quiet time. He prayed before every family meal. He prayed in church. He
prayed during family devotions. He prayed with me privately at bedtime. He told me he prayed for me every day--and I believed him. When my dad prayed, you just knew God was listening. His prayers were real and honest and open. They were the prayers of a man who really knew the God he was talking to. I mean, it was like they were best of friends. He could say anything to God. He loved God, and you knew, just knew, that God loved him.

Dad kept Mark and me in a good children's ministry and a good youth group. He and Mom knew the leaders and what was being taught. He talked to my Sunday school teachers to find out their impressions of me and my spiritual life. I'm afraid in junior high and senior high school, he didn't
get many good reports. I hated youth group with a passion. I had a few friends there, but I wasn't too popular. I was popular at secular school and
was interested only in spending time with my school buddies. I tried to get out of going to youth group, with no success. My dad made me go and didn't
apologize for it. He told me he wanted me to learn about Jesus Christ, be around other Christian kids, be involved in healthy activities, and emulate
the godly youth leaders. I thought he was crazy. I thought he was out of touch.

Turns out, Dad was right again. That youth group, despite my pitiful attitude, was good for me. Frank Couch, one of my youth pastors, was a
terrific guy and a great model. I wouldn't admit it, but I did have a lot of fun playing soccer and other games with the youth group. More than anything,
it kept me connected to Jesus Christ. Even though at times it was a very fragile connection, it was enough to get me through some difficult, confusing
stretches in my life.

This article was written and is copyrighted by Dr. David Clarke.  For more on David, visit www.davidclarkeseminars.com