RAISING VIRTUOUS CHILDREN

Benjamin Franklin was right when he said: “There never was yet a truly great man that was not at the same time truly virtuous.” The same is true of women. American desperately needs an increase in “great” people throughout every facet of our virtue-lite society today—men and women who are great in terms of virtuous character. This begins with the raising of virtuous children. And, we had better get busy doing this.

People ought to get married (Matt. 19:4-6; Heb. 13:4), They ought to, if possible, have children (Gen. 1:28); and having children, be responsible in training them to be virtuous children who become virtuous adults (Prov. 2:6). This begins with parents consciously cultivating virtue within their own selves. The first law introduced in the Bible is “like begets like” (Gen. 2:16), and reproduces after its “own kind” (Gen. 1:24). Parents are far more likely to see in their children, not so much what they want, but what they themselves are.

The first goal everyone has, once they have put their faith in Christ is to be virtuous. That virtue is foundational and indispensable to the acquisition of every other trait of Christian character is made clear the Word of God:   “And beside this, add to faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity“

Christian parents should give priority to the cultivation of virtue in their own live, and in the lives of their children. This means teaching them, by word and example, the why and the how of maintaining mastery over their minds (Phil. 2:5; 1 Cor. 10:5), controlling their tongues (James 3:1,2) and disciplining their bodies ( 1 Cor. 9:27). Parents are to be salt and light in this corrupt and dark world and raise children who will perpetuate this salt and light in the world (Matt. 5:13-16).