What is a Home Run Life For Our Kids

“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” —Proverbs 22:6.

One of the most frequent questions that pastors are asked is, “How can I raise godly children?”  Most parents are hoping against hope that there is a previously undiscovered formula that they can follow so that children who love and respect the Lord will be the end result. I wish there was  a formula, but in reality it takes a great deal of wisdom harvested from biblical principles. The Raising Home Run Kids series is not a formula or an all inclusive parenting manual.  Rather, it is look at what the Bible teaches about raising godly children. 

Raising children is one of the most awesome responsibilities any human being can face. Our goal as parents must be to raise godly children. But how do we do this?  Fortunately, God’s word tells us the principles we should follow. God’s Word is full of instruction about training children. It is the standard that we are to use to raise children that will lead a home run life. To successfully raise godly children, we must understand and practice Biblical principles for raising children.

In Deuteronomy 6:5-9, God instructs parents: “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

God commands parents to diligently teach their children (v. 7). He first instructs them to passionately love Him (vv. 5-6).  Perhaps one of the most overlooked, yet necessary keys to raising God honoring children, is teaching them to love God.  The most vital aspect of this teaching is a thorough understanding of who God is and that God first loved them. If we plan our training of our children based on God’s word, then our children will learn to plan their lives on the basis of God’s word. If we always act in love for our children, then our children will learn to act in love for everyone around them.

What does home run life look like for our kids? It means being connected to God, it begins and ends with Him. It means having our children secure in who they are because they are secure in Him. It means raising spiritually alive kids that love God first.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you define a home run life for your kids?
2. What does it mean to love God?  What does it mean for children to love God?
3. Do you believe home run children will turn into home run adults? Why?