In the book, Shepherding a Child's Heart, author Tedd Tripp states, "The central focus of child-rearing is to bring children to a sober assessment of themselves as sinners."There's a statement that you don't hear everyday. Children are sinners. Anyone who has ever raised children (not me, yet) or has worked with children (that's me) can understand the truth behind Tripp's statement. He continues:
"They must understand the mercy of God, who offered Christ as a sacrifice of sinners. How is that accomplished? You must address the heart as the fountain of behavior, and the conscience as the God-given judge of right and wrong. The cross of Christ must be the central focus of your child-rearing." (p.120)
This quotation brings to bear the central issue I believe of why people accept or reject Christ. People accept Christ because they realize that they are sinners, not 'good people' who are in need of a savior to rescue them from this lifestyle.
People reject Christ because...they either a) don't think they are sinners, b) don't think they need a Savior, or c) don't want a Savior.
Either way it is enlightening to read a 'how-to' on child-rearing with the Cross of Christ as the center of parenting.
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