{"id":32167,"date":"2023-08-26T10:50:15","date_gmt":"2023-08-26T14:50:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=32167"},"modified":"2023-08-28T07:45:02","modified_gmt":"2023-08-28T11:45:02","slug":"saturday-short-raising-adults-part-1-responsibility-is-two-words","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=32167","title":{"rendered":"Saturday Short – Raising Adults – Part 1 – Responsibility Is Two Words"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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[Adapted from my presentation at a home-school conference. Part 2 \u2013 Raising Adults \u2013 Creating a Culture of Serving<\/em> can be found here<\/a>.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being a parent is a humbling work\u2026one way or other, it takes us to our knees at some point. In thinking about how we shape our little ones and raise them into adulthood, I was driven to prayer\u2026a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh God, You have given us such crucial work in raising our children to adulthood. Help us to be faithful to live in the tension of remembering they are still small\/young and yet pointing them to their place in this world and Your Kingdom. In Jesus\u2019 name. Amen.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the book of Genesis<\/a>, we have a beautiful picture of God\u2019s work \u2013 His eye for detail, His gift of order \u2013 He provided everything that was needful\u2026including work for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God has given us all work to do. It was His plan from the beginning\u2026 In training up our children, we will always push against the counter-pressure of entitlement in our kids\u2019 lives (and in our own)\u2026 but we are not alone. He\u2019s already promised that \u201cHis yoke is easy, and His burden\u2019s light\u201d.<\/a>
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The Scripture is full of wisdom pointing us toward teaching our children to become responsible adults\u2026understanding the importance of showing up<\/strong>, working in whatever capacity they can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So we built the wall and the whole wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work<\/strong>.<\/em> \u2013 Nehemiah 4:6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyone who can be trusted in little matters can also be trusted in important matters<\/strong>. But anyone who is dishonest in little matters will be dishonest in important matters.<\/em> \u2013 Luke 16:10<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.<\/em> <\/strong>\u2013 Proverbs 22:6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhatever you do, do it enthusiastically<\/strong>, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord \u2013 you serve the Lord Christ.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Colossians 3:23-24<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What goes into raising adults?<\/strong> Teaching our children and giving opportunity to see the value of work, to treat people and possessions appropriately, and to see themselves as a responsible part of a larger community. When does it start?<\/strong> Very early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Author and parenting coach Reggie Joiner<\/a> talks about the key to raising responsible adults is to give them responsibilities\u2026now<\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are called, by God, to work\u2026from the beginning\u2026to have dominion\u2026and to essentially clean up our own messes. As we learn to do that at home \u2013 caring for ourselves and contributing to our family \u2013 we can quite naturally expend the effort, and extend that, toward our larger community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joiner defines responsibility and counsels parents how to train it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cResponsibility is an interesting word.
It\u2019s actually two words.
Response<\/strong> and ability<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you see the link between the two concepts? If you want to raise kids to become responsible, then lead them toward a life where they develop the right attitude toward work and tasks. Give them chores at every stage.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n