Life by Design

Build a life by design, not by accident — and leave behind a story worth telling.

Parenting

Disciple the next generation

Your primary job isn’t raising happy kids. It’s raising godly adults. You’re not their friend first—you’re their parent. Your job is to point them to Christ, teach them truth, model faithfulness, and prepare them to leave.

The goal isn’t obedient children. It’s faithful adults who love God and serve others long after you’re gone. You can’t control outcomes, but you control faithfulness. Parent with the end in mind.

Master these 7 principles to raise children who know God and walk in truth.

The 7 core principles:

1
Teach Them Scripture
Read the Bible together daily. Explain what it means. Answer their questions honestly. Memorize verses as a family. Talk about God at meals, in the car, before bed. Make Scripture normal, not special occasion.
“These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children.” — Deuteronomy 6:6–7
2
Model Your Faith
They're watching everything. Let them see you pray. Let them hear you repent. Show them what it looks like to trust God in hard times. Your life is the loudest sermon they'll ever hear.
“In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds.” — Titus 2:7
3
Discipline with Love
Set clear boundaries. Enforce consistent consequences. Explain why the behavior was wrong. Discipline is not punishment—it's training. Restore the relationship after correction. Affirm your love every time.
“Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.” — Proverbs 13:24
4
Invest Time Daily
Be present, not just physically there. Play with them. Listen to them. Know what they care about. Eat meals together. Put down your phone. Individual time with each child matters more than group activities.
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” — Ephesians 6:4
5
Pray for Them
Pray for their salvation daily. Pray for their character. Pray for their future spouse. Pray for protection from evil. Let them hear you pray for them. Your prayers matter more than your plans.
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” — 3 John 1:4
6
Build Their Character
Teach them to work hard. Require chores. Let them fail and learn. Build integrity, humility, courage, perseverance. Don't shield them from difficulty—equip them to handle it. Character is built through trials, not comfort.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” — Proverbs 22:6
7
Release Them to God
You can't save them—only God can. Train them, then trust God with the outcome. Let go when it's time. Love them even if they reject the faith. Keep praying. Keep the door open. They belong to God, not you.
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” — Psalm 127:3

START HERE: Start with one-on-one time this week. Take each child individually—even if it’s just thirty minutes. No distractions. Ask questions. Listen. Be present. That’s where strong parenting begins—with intentional time that shows them they matter.

WHAT CHANGES: When you parent intentionally, your children grow in faith, character, and capability. They know they’re loved. They respect your authority because you’ve been consistent. They learn to obey God because they’ve learned to obey you. They become independent, responsible adults who contribute to the world and walk with Christ. You build a relationship that lasts beyond childhood—one built on trust, respect, and love.

Parenting is hard. But when you teach Scripture, model faith, discipline with love, and release them to God, you raise the next generation to walk with Him. That’s legacy.

READY FOR STRUCTURE? Start The Parenting Challenge → – One principle per week, raising children who know God and walk in truth.