In this day and age, parenting youths and adolescents presents a particular challenge for Christian parents who want to prepare their children against the temptations of the world. In fact, however, this preparation begins much earlier in life. Read on to discover how to effectively parent in a Christ-centred way in the following article written by Gregory Kong based on discussions with, and materials from his father, Rev Gordon Kong.

For Christian parents, bringing their children up to know and love the Lord is a process that is done right from the start. There are two ways to live, and children either learn how to live a Christ-centred life from their parents, or they will learn how to live a worldly life from everything else around them. Judges 2:7-13 describes how the Israelites worshipped the Lord until a new generation arose who did not know or fear Him because the previous generation did not make them properly understand who the Lord is, and what He did for them.

Part of bringing children up in a Christ-centred fashion is discipline and other types of family interaction, as children learn as much from these as from Bible discussions or other teaching times. How parents react and behave around their children shows them whether the parents believe and practise what they tell their children, especially about God, Jesus, and what it means to be a Christian. Christ-centred parenting requires this foundation to build on for later times.

This is especially critical during adolescence, as it is usually a time of rebellion; children around this age tend to want to go their own way and are not willing to undergo correction. During this time, parents need to give adolescents the opportunity to make some of their own decisions – and to accept the consequences, if those decisions turn out to be the wrong ones. At the same time, parents need to ensure that these decisions are those whose consequences are not permanent, not immoral, but are decisions that help to build character according to Christian principles.

The world is pushing adolescent youths in the opposite direction to that of Christ-centred living; especially today, where public and peer pressure to conform to the ways of the world are ever-growing. Adolescents, more than ever, face challenges in several areas e.g. sexual immorality, a lack of eschatological awareness (hence living in the moment and not keeping eternity in view), and keeping bad company.

As a result, parents need to stay involved in their children’s lives, all the while giving them space to grow and mature. Youths should know that their parents love and care for them, and will be there for them, but will also not micromanage them. Human parents can teach their children – right through adolescence – so much about God, the ultimate Father, who sent His Son to die for them. They are also the primary channel through which the love of God is made manifest in their children’s lives.