Alumni Parent Hon. Rob MacDonald shared several key principles on how to parent with intention in preparing children for their ultimate purpose. He spoke at StoneBridge School’s PRAY Conference in October 2024. (Featured photo credit: Ben White, Unsplash.)
By Hon. Rob MacDonald, SBS Alumni Parent
As parents, you have been entrusted with an awesome opportunity and an incredible responsibility—the responsibility to guide your children toward their God-given purpose. The decision to partner with a school like StoneBridge School is a wise one, as it provides the opportunity to work alongside educators who share your vision for your child’s future. But remember, the ultimate responsibility still rests with you. You are the primary influencers in your child’s life, and it is through your guidance and intentional living that they will discover who they are, what they believe, and where they are going.
The questions of “Who am I? What do I believe? Where am I going?” are the foundation upon which every child’s future is built. As a parent, you must first be able to answer these questions for yourself. Then, you must live in a way that helps your children answer these questions. Your children are always watching. They will learn more from what you do and who you are than from what you say.
Equipping them for Success
God has an extraordinary plan for your sons and daughters—a plan that will exceed your wildest expectations. As you seek Christ in your own life, He is shaping and transforming you into His image. Remember, parenting is not just about guiding your children; it’s also about your walk with the Lord. The task of parenting is one that cannot be done apart from Him.
The great news is that God wants to equip you for success. He has a plan not just for your children, but for you as well. And as your children watch you live out your faith, they will be inspired to follow suit. If they do not see God doing “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” in your life, don’t expect them to believe He will do it in theirs.
In a world that often seeks answers, we must remember that the right questions shape the future. However, I strongly believe in the words of the late Dois Rosser, founder of International Cooperating Ministries, “If Jesus is the answer, what is the question?”
In a culture that is quick to tweet and share opinions, we must teach our children to think and ask the right questions before providing answers. We have the privilege and responsibility to guide our children in discovering and living out their calling. But we are never alone. Through the Holy Spirit, God empowers us to lead with love, grace, and purpose.
An Eternal Purpose
Can you imagine your children 10, 20, even 50 years from now? Can you see them being chosen by God to carry out the most difficult and rewarding assignments? Your children will be used by God to advance His Kingdom, but they need to be equipped for what lies ahead. Like the training of Special Forces, the preparation is rigorous—but it is for an eternal purpose. God has chosen you to help prepare them for their mission.
Everyday Moments. In a practical sense, consider the power of everyday moments. Dinner time, for instance, can be a sacred space where you and your children share stories of how you’ve seen God “at work” in your lives. Like fresh, warm bread that makes the butter melt, these stories should be hot, fresh, and desirable—creating a culture of gratitude and awareness of God’s presence. If you don’t have any stories to share, I am confident that the Lord loves you so much that He has written some stories for you to share.
God’s Vision for Your Child. Pray and ask the Lord to reveal His vision for your children. The Lord wants to show you what He has planned for them, and He has chosen you to equip them for that purpose. As they grow older, you will see the responsibility and the vision shift toward them. Your role will transition as you empower them to take ownership of their faith and their calling.
Power of the Holy Spirit. Never forget the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells within you—and within your children. The same Spirit that empowers you equips them. When you pray over them, do not underestimate the strength and potential of the Holy Spirit in their lives. If you believe that the Holy Spirit is without limits and that the Holy Spirit dwells in you and in your sons and daughters, what are the limits?
A Greater Plan for your Children
So, parents—be intentional. The world has intentions for your children, but God has a greater plan. As you partner with the teachers and administration for your child’s education, remember that this is not just about preparing your children for academic success; it’s about equipping them for their ultimate purpose in Christ.
Together, let’s raise up children who know who they are, what they believe in, and where they are going. And remember, you are not alone in this journey. Christ is with you, empowering you to fulfill this extraordinary calling.
True joy and satisfaction are known when your children walk in purpose with the Lord.
