I recently posted a lengthy article which laid out six supracultural biblical parenting principles. To be “supracultural” means they are principles that apply in every single culture. To be “biblical” means they are attitudes we see taught in Scripture, but not necessarily about parenting. I applied them to parenting, however, in my original article.

My original post is found here. It was quite long, so someone encouraged me to rerelease it as six individual posts. This is part six of six; it excludes the original introduction and gets right to the questions.

Does my parenting style prioritize God’s kingdom?

Supracultural Principle: Christians believe God’s kingdom is coming, but is present today in the form of the church. Jesus shed His blood for the church, and He wants us to love His people like He does.

Jesus said, we are to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” God’s provision flows as we seek first His kingdom.

When it comes to the cares and worries of this life, Jesus taught us to lean on Him. Trust in Christ is paramount.

After Jesus’ ascension, the church prayed together. After a waiting period, the Holy Spirit fell on them, so they began to preach the gospel. Many others became believers at that time.

Luke wrote the record of it in Acts. He said it was like this: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” They got plugged in.

I am no legalist in these areas. I know we live in a fast paced culture and time. I know we are pulled apart trying to live missionally, in community, in intentional relationships, while still swinging by Costco.

Still, we are called to seek the kingdom. To gather together. To “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together.”

Do your children believe Sunday is a day dedicated to worship? Is Sunday worship a rule of thumb for them or a haphazard experience?

Does my child ever miss out on something because he lives in a Christian family? Does my style of parenting make meeting with other Christians an impossible experience?

I grew up with Christians constantly in the home. I went to the homes of other Christians. This message was not lost on me. If you want to be a kingdom person, it takes some time. You have to decide. They fill your life, at least a little.

My children might become more passionate for Jesus than I am, but I’m not going to make it easy on them. Hopefully, I can set the bar high.

So, there you have them. Six supracultural principles we can thoughtfully apply to our parenting styles. Perhaps, as you read this, you are thinking of more. There are likely many ways an overarching truth in God's word makes its way into our families. Thinking this way is healthy and good, more biblical. We need the Holy Spirit to perform this mind renewal upon us, that we might lead our children well.