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"I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. you gave them to me, and they have kept your word" John 17:6 NLT
The LoL parenting model isn't just about a "teaching" it is a process of "becoming" as parents and God's making of a pattern etched out of Christ to be a model to our world. The LoL parenting model is anchored on 2 major mandates:
To "become" like Christ
To live the life of Christ in us on the outside such that it shapes our parenting journey.
As Christian families, how we ought to live out (manifest, work out, demonstrate,) our lives in a way that advances the kingdom of God. John 17:6
Understanding The LoL concept of Parenting
To get a feeler of what the word "parent" meant to those around me, I had once asked them about who in their view, is a parent. You can guess the many responses I got. Some people did not bother responding to such seemingly simplistic question while a few others chose to honor my ignorance with a little reminder; a parent is the legal custodian of a child, someone who gave birth to or adopted a child, etc.,. Two years back, I would have responded the same way, that's what society and biology defines a parent to be.
However, on this journey, we are guided to see our identity as parents beyond cultural definitions.
Our concept of a Parent is a man or woman called by God to lead and disciple a group of people who by the giftings of God have been destined to come through his/her genealogy either through blood or by adoption, within the umbrella of a "family". in the way of the Lord and by the testament of Jesus Christ, a group of people who by the giftings of God have been destined to come through his/her genealogy either by blood or adoption.
Parenting is the daily expression of the kingdom mandate given by God to man; to be fruitful (produce after his kind in nature (not the fallen nature), character and manifestations), multiply (increase in influence the sphere of the kingdom) and replenish the earth (through his offspring, bringing change into the world as they grow and give expression of the kingdom life they have inherited, one generation to the next.)
Parenting is living out the life of Christ before the children God has given us, modelling the kingdom life to them, discipling and mentoring them in the truth of God's kingdom. It is the transmission of kingdom culture not just an introduction to the symbolisms of the kingdom but an in-depth indoctrination into the kingdom culture.
This is particularly important when we consider, the endemic perversity that defines the world we live in today. The bible is explicit in terms of how we are to "parent":
"Direct your children unto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it." Proverbs 22:6
Living out our faith and modelling our obedience to God's word is what shapes our children and naturally introduces them to the culture of the kingdom of our God. The LoL parenting program offers biblical guidance on how we can fulfil our roles as parents who God has entrusted with the mandate to raise for Him, the Church of tomorrow.
Are you a Christian parent? How do you see your role as a parent today, influencing the outcome of the church of God tomorrow? What are those biblical principles and scriptures that continue to shape your journey as a parent? We would love to hear from you as you share your thoughts in the comments segment. God bless you!