Raising Great Kids Workbook for Parents of Preschoolers Introduction

The Value of Love.
Love God and love others.

The Value of Truth.
Parents are dispensers of truth and reality sometimes through direct teaching, sometimes through discipline, and sometimes by getting out of the way and letting consequences do the instructing.

The Role of Character.
As a parent you need to be much more concerned about what kind of tree (good or bad) your child is becoming than about any particular fruit you might see on a single day.

An Understanding of Sin, Immaturity, and the Image of God.
We believe, first, that children are created in the image of God and have a lot of good things about them from the start. Second, children are sinners, and all of their goodness is affected by sin. Third, children do not show up already assembled; they are immature and must be "put together" by the parenting process.

These beliefs lead us to assert that everything a child does is not necessarily bad, or good, or immature. You have to discern which is which. Furthermore, you can't judge a behavior, in and of itself, out of context of character.

• Neediness vs. manipulation
• Image of God manifesting itself (good assertiveness) vs. disobedience (sinful rebellion)

It is important to:

• give what they need to immature children who are incomplete
• discipline children who rebel again truth, you, God, and structure
• nurture the very potential God build into them

The Value of Freedom.
God created humankind to grow in self-control (Galatians 5:23). So it is important for you to play a role in your children's lives that will help them gain control of themselves and their own lives.

Freedom undergirds everything God has for people (Galatians 5:1) and this freedom is to be used responsibly in the service of love. Don't fear the freedom of your children, but require responsibility from them.

The Role of God.
Character is never complete without an understanding of who one is before God. Healthy people have the ability to see who God is, to love him, to obey him, and to take their proper role under him.

How will we teach our children in the ways of spiritual training and guidance?

The Process.
Parenting is a process... what you need to do as a parent will change every day. We will focus our time focusing on principles with process in mind, rather than chronological development.

Godspeed.
The three main points:

1. Balance the role of love with the need for limits.
2. Value the worth of children without turning them into little gods.
3. Children have much potential, but need a lot of both nurturing and correction to achieve that.

Lord, give me discernment and creativity as I look for ways to help my children become a person of godly character. I'm thankful that you will be with me every step of the way, redeeming my mistakes, guiding my efforts, and blessing my attempts to raise my child to live a life that pleases and glorifies you. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.