Shepherding a Child's Heart

by Tedd Tripp

You have reason for hope as parents who desire to see your children have faith. The hope is the power of the gospel. The gospel is suited to the human condition. The gospel is attractive. God has already shown great mercy to your children. He has given them a place of rich privilege. He has placed them in a home where they have heard his truth. They have seen the transforming power of grace in the lives of his people. Your prayer and expectation is that the gospel will overcome their resistance as it has yours.

Seek God who can make what is crooked, straight.

Authority in this chart denotes what may be accomplished with your child because you are stronger, faster, larger, and so forth. Influence represents the willingness of your child to place himself under your authority because he trusts you. Your role as an influence is one of helping him to know his needs and be honest with himself.

Encourage your children not to run from their questions. Everyone does not have to have every question, but everyone must find resolution for the questions he has. Christian faith is robust enough to stand close scrutiny.

Developing a Christian mind. Your children need to develop the ability to think Christianly. They need to learn to dissect any area of thought and subject it to biblical critique.

Ultimately, you leave them to God, knowing that you can entrust your children to the God who has dealt so graciously with you.