Psalm 127:4 “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.”

In biblical days there were no stores or factories that produced arrows. It was up to the warriors, primarily men (fathers), to create and craft arrows with precise care. The arrow point had to be sharp on one end and the other end – fletching – was for guidance.

So too parents, must view their parenting as warriors sending children into battle. Two aspects of parenting are both coaching for a sharp & wise purpose of faith and correction to guide and discern the direction. Ultimately, arrows were never created to stay in the quiver. Arrows were meant to fly and fight for the king’s army. Likewise, Christian parents must prepare our children to fight the fight of faith for the glory of God.

Paul Tripp exhorts parents, “We all know that God’s goal for our parenting is that we work ourselves out of a job. His plan is that we would be his instruments in producing children who are biblically mature, ready to face life in the fallen world, ready to be salt and light, ready to be contributors to his kingdom work, no longer needing the day-by-day guidance that we have given them for so many years.” (Age of Opportunity, p.208)

Gratefully, our Heavenly Father does not ask of us parents anything that He hasn’t already provided the example. God released His Son into a crazy culture and wild world for the sake of others. God reminds us that parenting is for the purpose of His kingdom mission.

Parents, we must move from being a hovering helicopter to a preparatory parent to release your child to stand on his/her own feet. Even more, the most important role you have is to prepare your child to stand before God – alone – and to answer Him on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ. God has no grandchildren. 

Further, parents must prepare and send out their children for God’s mission as Jesus sent out his disciples, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so  be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16).