How to Raise Tenderhearted Children
Our responsibility as parents is to help our children become tenderhearted toward the less fortunate, especially those who don’t yet know Jesus Christ.
One way to do this is to encourage your children to learn about cities affected by natural disasters and other tragedies. These current events remind your children that we live in a fallen, deeply hurting world. Then cross over to discuss what God is doing in that part of the world.
It’s easy to shut off our minds to the needs of the poor by saying, “Well, they’ve lived like that all their lives. They’re used to it. They don’t notice how bad things really are.” But suffering is suffering. Every parent and child, no matter where they live, feels pain the same way you and I do.
As well, inform your children about the world’s major religions. As parents we need to display respect and genuine love for people everywhere.
By word and example we want to communicate to our children that “We don’t ridicule or make fun of people, even in private.” Instead, we gladly “walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us,” Ephesians 5:2. That’s what reaching your world is about.
“Every parent and child, no matter where they live, feels pain the same way you and I do.”
Ephesians 5:2
“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”