Raising kids to be faithful followers of Christ in the 21st century can be very challenging. Our culture continues its secular slide, with entertainment and education—which permeate our kids lives—leading the way. Of course, life is busy and it's difficult for families to avoid simply being pulled along with the world. In light of the current challenges, parents and the church must be very intentional in their discipleship of the next generation. We must think carefully about our strategies and be more aggressive in training up our children.
As our oldest daughter approached the junior high years, my wife and I began to rethink our views on educating and discipling our own kids. We were dissatisfied with things we were seeing in her life not only academically, but also spiritually and morally. In that process of reevaluation, we discovered “classical education.” Educator Susan Wise Bauer offers a concise description of this approach:
“Classical education depends on a three-part process of training the mind. The early years of school are spent in absorbing facts, systematically laying the foundations for advanced study [Grammar Stage]. In the middle grades, students learn to think through arguments [Logic Stage]. In the high school years, they learn to express themselves [Rhetoric Stage].”
I think this model offers parents a way forward. My wife and I have been using it with our own kids and I think the church can also use it as it comes alongside families to help disciple our children.
On Tuesday night, November 17th, at 6:30 pm (Pacific Time), I will host a live online event to help parents and pastors think through the discipleship of the next generation. We'll dialogue more about this classical method. I'll also offer some very specific ideas and practical tools to equip families and churches. And you can participate too. We'll be taking live questions and interacting with your comments. Follow this LINK and join us for this live online conversation.
Churches and families must be focused and intentional in order equip our kids with the truth, and I think this event will help you do just that.
Posted by: RonH | October 30, 2015 at 03:31 PM
RonH,
I bet Brett is an expert in what he wants for his kids. I also bet that Brett makes an accurate assumption that there are other parents that want similar things for their kids.
Moreover, Susan Wise Bauer appears to be an expert from what I gather.
The tone of your response is totally in line with those that want parents to just turn their kids over to the “experts”.
“We’ll take care of all their needs” they say.
It’s not turning out well for many, is it?
Over the course of history, regarding many things, experts have made some pretty big messes.
Posted by: KWM | November 05, 2015 at 07:57 AM
I'm unable to comment in the live video, so I'll leave one hear. The audio was so sketchy and choppy it was literally incoherent. Really hoping this will be put up on Youtube in full after the live session!
Posted by: Aaron | November 17, 2015 at 06:40 PM
Should we allow our highschool daughter to date a Mormon?
Posted by: Christy | November 17, 2015 at 07:44 PM