Knowing how to prepare your kid for the real world isn’t easy. Do you remember the 80’s cartoon G.I. Joe? At the end of every episode, there was a public service announcement. It would go something like, “If you see a live power line down across the road don’t move it, call your local authorities and they will come and take care of the problem…now you know and knowing is half the battle.”
There’s a lot of truth in that statement. You know what the current culture looks like and you know what dangers it brings—but knowing is only half the battle. In order to navigate the battle between culture and your children, it is important to know the battle. It’s important to know the culture and its message, but it must be more than knowledge…it’s action as well. Here’s how to prepare your kid for the real world.
How to prepare your kid: Dig in.
Your children are not in this battle alone. They can’t be. You have to be in it too. I believe it’s up to us to dig in with our children and fight alongside them. Who sends another person into battle without the right equipment? Unless your intent is to get that person hurt. It’s the same as sending our children into this battle ill-equipped.
Deuteronomy 6 explains parents must constantly be speaking truth into the lives of their children. It’s a night and day thing, not a “drop them off at church and let someone else do it” thing.
Hebrews 13:15 tells us that we need to continually offer God a sacrifice of praise. The author of Hebrews calls it the fruit of lips.
Ephesians 6 encourages us to put on the armor of God. I would assume we are supposed to help others with their armor too, especially our children.
Proverbs 22:6 reminds us to raise a child in the way he or she should go. The goal is to raise him or her in such a way that as they grow up they will cling to the truths they were raised on.
All of these are verses to encourage us to not lose sight of Him and not lose sight of preparing our children for the battle they will face.
How to prepare your kid: Realize you’re in a battle.
You’re fighting for the life of your children and their future. If that’s not how you see it, then you’re not going to fight for them as hard as you should. Who do you want your children to grow up to be? What kind of world do you want them to live in? You honestly can’t control either one of these, but you can dig in and fight alongside them and be a part of the process. You can build a strong defense. But, don’t stop there. You can also build a strong offense. A well-rounded team understands the importance of both a penetrating defense and a forward-marching offense.
How to prepare your kid: Play offense and defense well.
The teams we call dynasties understand the importance of defense and offense. Imagine the 2000 Baltimore Ravens defense coupled with the 1999 St. Louis Rams offense. That would be epic. One thing I’ve noticed over the years is we need more young men who love the Lord. I’m honest enough to admit there’s some selfishness in my heart when I say these things. I have daughters. Play defense by protecting your kids all that you can through internet filters, rules, and boundaries. Play offense by constantly connecting, being aware, and engaging with your kids so you have a real and meaningful relationship with him.
So, I pray for your sons because hopefully four of them will end up being my sons-in-law one day. I pray you will walk with them now in this battle, so they will be prepared to marry my girls. I pray you will fight for them and with them—because ultimately—you are fighting for my daughters as well. As you protect the hearts of your sons, you are praying to protect the hearts of a lot of daughters across the world. Your task is large—so please don’t take it lightly.
The good news: You don’t fight alone.
Here’s the good news, you don’t fight alone. Your children don’t fight alone. We are in this together fighting for one another and for our children. The culture has a lot to say, but so do we. We have the truth that has stood and will continue to stand for eternity. Do not be afraid to let your voice be heard in the ears of your children. Do not be afraid to guide your children. Do not be afraid to scream if you have to. The culture has an influence, don’t let it silence yours.
