God has given parents a special calling.  By holding the titles of Mom and Dad, we know God has called us to minister to a specific people:  our children. What an honor -and challenge- to be involved with God in the formation of a young man or woman.

The last recorded words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew are known as "The Great Commission."  Jesus says, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

These words of Jesus are profoundly important in defining our purpose in life.  We have a commission and calling to share the Good News of Jesus and make disciples, in the power and love of Jesus.  I call this Kingdom Building Work.  Kingdom Building Work always involves people and love.  That journey, and that work, always starts in our own hearts and homes.  The words of Jesus, and the Great Commission, provide us with some clear goals and important implications for Christian parents who wish to minister effectively to their children.

Americans are familiar with the word success, defining it mostly in terms of money, possessions, positions, and education.  And more people are acquiring these at younger ages.

These same people often are painfully aware, however, that it seems easier to make $50,000 or $100,000 a year than to have a successful home-life. Even as more Americans fulfill the success dream, they are asking, "Is this all there is?"

For the Christian, success is spiritual, not material, and spiritual success is always relational.  Christ himself declared:  "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these tow commandments depend all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:37-40, Revised).

If we recognize that our families are our immediate neighbors, we'll know we must live in proper relationship to one another if we are to live as He intended.

Consequently, we will feel a sense of success if our children develop a strong faith in God and learn to live holy lives.  With that in mind, let me offer some practical suggestions:

1. Be generous in praising your children's efforts. Let them know that you find joy in their doing their best. Naturally honors and good grades deserve recognition and appreciations, but doing one's best is important. By your words and actions assure your children that their grades, looks, or winning are not most important. Children should know they are loved just for who they are.
2. Frequently use such words as sharing, cooperation, manners, respect, honesty, truthfulness, so your children learn these values by which your family functions.
3. If your children are young, a nightly time of singing favorite hymns or choruses they learned in Sunday School is helpful. Reading Bible stories or other wholesome stories is also meaningful. Older children can participate more actively in worship at home by singing or reading the Scriptures together. Reinforce the idea that such activities are not just for church, but are also personal and family events.
4. At opportune times, talk about when you were your child's age. Be ready to explain that you were not always a Christian, but it was a choice you made. Share in a conversational manner the difference it has made for you.
5. As your children express curiosity about other people, explain that not everyone is a Christian, and people must choose to accept salvation. Don't consider this type of conversation is only for pastors or Sunday School teachers. Remember, hearing it come from you will add significantly to its meaning for your children.

The Bible describes a threefold mission for the body of Christ: (1) worshipping God (John 4:23, 24); (2) building a body of saints in the image of His Son (Ephesians 4:11, 16); and (3) evangelizing the world (Mark 16:15-20).  These three aspects are intertwined and complement each other.  All are required for our churches to be truly successful.

Families are a key to the Body of Christ in fulfilling its mission.  If the world sees a church that loves God and worships Him, we are successful.  If they see husbands and wives who love and respect each other, we are successful.