Teaching Your Children How to Engage the Culture

At the 2008 Summer Olympics, both the U.S. men’s and women’s 4 x 100 relay teams were expected to compete for the gold medal – but shockingly, neither team even made it to the finals.

Neither American team exited the competition early because other countries were faster but because they dropped the baton during an exchange. Runners almost never drop the baton during the middle of their relay leg. They drop it in the hand-off.

The exchange is where things often go wrong for parents as well. We’re wise to be intentional about passing our Christian beliefs to our children. If we don’t, their values will be shaped primarily by their friends, social media, or the entertainment industry.

To help our children build character in a culture full of conflicting messages, I’ve invited Professor of psychology at Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis, and Focus on the Family board member, Dr. Holly Brand to join me on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly.

She shares how small, intentional choices in your parenting can have a lifelong impact on your child’s beliefs, heart, and character. As a college professor, Dr. Brand has seen many young adults who do not have a vibrant Christian faith and lack a solid understanding of what it means to be a believer.

She explains three essential pillars upon which our children’s lives should be built:

• Respect. Children learn respect (or a lack of respect) for authority by age five.

• Character. Character means doing the right thing even when you think you could “get away with” doing wrong.

• Identity. The main things that teenagers strive for are identity, independence, and acceptance.

Hear my full conversation with Dr. Holly Brand about helping your children develop discernment, a strong faith, and the ability to be “in the world, but not of the world” (John 17:14-16) on your local radio station, online, on Apple Podcasts, or take us with you on our free phone app.

Dr. Holly Brand’s book Christ & Culture 2.0 is available for a gift of any amount. For more information, click here or call 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).

While you’re online, why not take our free parenting assessment? It will quickly give you an overview of how your family is doing in several key areas. It also offers suggestions for improving the relationships in your home.