Usually, we think of grace in terms of receiving it. But what does it look like to turn around and give grace to your children? Join host Mike Smith and author and counselor Elyse Fitzpatrick today on Home School Heartbeat to find out!
Mike Smith:
Elyse, in our last program you told us the difference between teaching by law and teaching by grace. Now, why is teaching through grace more effective in training children, in your view?
Elyse Fitzpatrick:
Grace is more effective than law because none of us responds well to the law, as Paul made clear in Romans 7. He said that rather than making him good, the law actually aroused a desire for sin in his heart. Of course, the problem is not with the law but rather with the sin that resides within us all. The gospel makes it clear that we don’t need more rules to live by, but rather a Redeemer, who fulfilled the law, lived perfectly in our place and freed us from it as a way to earn goodness. That’s why Jesus’ answer to the question in John 6 was so shocking. He was asked, “What must we do to be doing the works of God?” This would’ve been a great opportunity for Jesus to give us a list of rules. But instead He gave a command to believe on Him; He answered, “Believe on the Son, whom the Father has sent.” Period. Do you want to work the works of God? Do you want your children to do so too? Believe that He’s done it all. Only this good news of God’s grace in Christ can transform our hearts.
Mike:
Elyse, thank you so much for sharing this excellent principle with us today. And until next time, I’m Mike Smith.
