Written by: Justin, Next Gen Director
In my role as Next Gen Director, and as a parent, I am continually reminded that we are called to be lifelong learners. Not just learners of strategies or trends, but learners of God: who he is, what he has done through the Gospel, and how he is calling us to live in response.
If you’ve attended a recent infant baptism or dedication class, you’ve likely heard me say, “Books, Life Groups, podcasts, they’re all great. But there is no better resource for Christian parenting than the Bible. Read it with a parent perspective. If you want to be inspired, let God inspire you through his Word and through prayer.”
Start with a Gospel Perspective
Often, we approach Scripture with an “us perspective.” We ask, how does this impact me? How does this help my parenting? While those are important questions, they are not the primary purpose of the Bible.
The Bible was given first and foremost so that we may know who God is and understand the full picture of the Gospel, what he has done through Jesus Christ. As John 20:30–31 reminds us, these things were written “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Scripture reveals the character of the Triune God and the saving work of Christ.
That means we should always read with a Gospel perspective first. We ask:
At the same time, Scripture also equips us. As 2 Timothy 3:16–17 teaches, “all Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness”. So while the Bible’s primary purpose is to reveal God and the Gospel, it also shapes and trains us, including in our parenting.
So yes, read with a parent perspective but let a God-centered perspective come first.
How to Read the Bible with a Parent Perspective
Here are two examples of what this can look like in everyday reading.
Proverbs 3:3-4 “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
From a Gospel perspective, this passage reveals that God values steadfast love and faithfulness because they reflect his own character. He is the faithful and loving covenant-keeping God.
From a parent perspective, I begin to ask:
If love and faithfulness are to be “bound” around my neck and written on my heart, then they must shape not just my theology, but my tone, my time, and my priorities at home.
Hebrews 2:8-9 “In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”
From a Gospel perspective, this passage magnifies Christ. Jesus humbled himself, suffered death, and is now crowned with glory and honor. It proclaims both his sacrifice and his sovereignty.
From a parent perspective, I ask:
Our children are watching not just what we teach, but what we trust.
A Prayer for Our Parenting
My desire for every parent in our church is not simply that you would become more skilled but that you would know God more deeply. As you grow in your understanding of his character and the beauty of the Gospel, your parenting will naturally be shaped and refined.
Pray that his Word would inspire you.
Pray that his Spirit would soften you.
Pray that your parenting would align more with his desires than your own.
When we read the Bible to know God first, we discover that he graciously shapes us in the process, including the way we love and lead our children.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to any Next Gen staff or volunteers and we’d be more than happy to talk to you.
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