Raising Spiritual Champions

©Millie McNabb

I recently re-read Revolutionary Parenting by George Barna. The Barna Group surveyed and interviewed thousands of young adults and their parents. They discovered some common denominators to parenting in such a way that children become Christian adults—spiritual champions, as Barna calls them.

I remember being so excited the first time I read the book. I had just launched my website and each of the seminars that I featured, was directly in line with the Barna Group research.

Although I speak to varied audiences, the people I most want to reach are parents with children age 12 or younger. This is because of the impact of this statement from the Barna research:
“…our national surveys of thirteen-year-olds reveal that most of them think they already know everything of significance in the Bible (hence, they are no longer open to learning or actively studying the Scriptures.) Also, most of them have no intention of continuing to attend a church when they are in their twenties and living on their own.”

Interestingly, in Jewish law, this is the age of majority, when children become responsible for their own actions and decisions. Boys “come of age” at age 13 and girls at age 12. Prior to this, the child's parents are responsible for the child's adherence to Jewish law and tradition.

It is when Jesus is 12 that we get the only view into Jesus’ youth in Luke 2:42-52. “And when He [Jesus] became twelve, they went up {there} according to the custom of the Feast…” Luke 2:43

You can find more about The Barna Group on the resource page of my website http://www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com.

At what age do you think children should be responsible for their own actions and decisions?

God bless….

Millie McNabb, founder of Christian Values Legacy, offers parenting seminars that focus on passing on your Christian values. Request your free report “Considerations for Intentionally Raising Children to Become Christian Adults” today at www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com.