Today’s Guest Post is by Patrick Schwenk. Patrick Schwenk is a husband, father, and pastor. He is married to Ruth Schwenk, the creator of The Better Mom. They met while attending the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. Pat and his wife have been married for fourteen years and currently have four children ages three to ten. For additional information on parenting and discipleship resources, visit
www.thedigforkids.com and www.thebettermom.com.
In 1888, J.C. Ryle, the English writer, pastor, and father of five, wrote a sermon called “The Duties of Parents.” It was a 17 point sermon on Proverbs 22:6. These were his closing words to his church that day:
“Train well for this life, and train well for the life to come; train well for earth, and train well for heaven; train them for God, train them for Christ, and train them for eternity. Amen.”
Though this sermon (and now book) has many great biblical insights, encouragements, and reminders, there is one phrase that has both stuck out, and stuck with me. It is the phrase, “train them for eternity.” To put it simply, Ryle is reminding Christian parents to teach and train children for what really matters. In a culture where the opportunities (most of which are good) are endless, it is easy, if not tempting, to lose sight of eternity.
As parents, our most prized priority must be to diligently and graciously train our children to grow up to love God and love the world. One of the greatest joys we have as parents is to teach, guide, warn, and encourage our children from the Bible. Several years ago, my daughter said to me, “Dad, I am glad you are a pastor.” When I asked her why she said, “Because you teach us the Bible.” The truth is, every parent should be (and can be) a pastor to his or her children.
In an effort to continue teaching and training our children the Bible, I have created a simple discipleship resource called, The Dig for Kids. The Dig has been my personal desire and attempt to teach our children the Bible from an early age. The Apostle Paul makes an interesting comment regarding Timothy’s training as a child. Notice what he says in 2 Timothy 3:14-15:
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become
convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how
from infancy you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to
make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
Paul suggests that Timothy, from a very young age, was being taught the Bible. The Dig is an effort to help you as a parent, and your child, study through books of the Bible. Then out of that experience, biblical principles are learned and lived. The goal of course, is that by God’s grace, our children grow up to love Jesus as their Savior and follow Him with all their heart, soul, and strength.
The Dig for Kids just launched today, August 1st! You can purchase the first volume in The Dig for Kids series (Luke Volume 1) now!
Visit us at thedigforkids.com to purchase your copy for only $4.99 on Kindle, Nook, or as a PDF!
Blessings,
Pat Schwenk, www.thedigforkids.com
