How can you as a parent mentor the spiritual growth of your child? Join us today on Home School Heartbeat as Mike Smith and Inge Cannon share some suggestions.
Mike Smith:
One of our goals as parents would be to direct our children to spiritual growth. That would probably be one of the highest priorities, I believe. How would a parent use mentoring to direct a child to a spiritual credential?
Inge Cannon:
I think, first of all, that they would have to begin like they do in any other educational arena. The art of curriculum development is looking at the long-range picture. What do you want the end product to be? And then backing up from the end product to what are the pieces that will produce that end product. And spiritual development really is no different than any other development that you do, whether it's reading or math or anything else. You look at the end product of a spiritually mature person and you back up into that.
Mike:
Inge, how do parents judge success in this area?
Inge:
One of the best resources I've found to do that is Donald Whitney's book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Donald Whitney is a homeschooling dad and he has identified nine spiritual disciplines that are important in a mature believer's life. And this would give you a starting place for developing those disciplines: holding your child accountable, giving positive reinforcement, and you know, sometimes it's a matter of mutual accountability.
Mike:
Thanks, Inge, that's very helpful. I'm Mike Smith.
For more information and helpful resources from Inge Cannon, visit us online at www.homeschoolheartbeat.com. Or call toll-free 866-338-8614.
