Is the Apple Likely to Fall Far From the Tree? — Andy McClish

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Responsible parents are naturally concerned about how their children are measuring up in the competitive environment of school. They will make sure that their children view school as a high priority and will encourage proper attention to all the required assignments, homework, and tests. In support of these aims, parents will also insist that their children attend all classes, permitting absences only with very good reason (e.g., illness). In addition—in the interest of a well-rounded experience—good parents will encourage their children to develop a network of friends and to become involved in various extra-curricular activities.

With these things in mind, the following “True/False” test is offered for the consideration of all parents. For simplicity’s sake, the term children will refer to one or more.

T/F      Schools are important and have a high priority in my family.

T/F      The secular education of my children is important and has a high priority in my family.

T/F      I consider it essential, if at all possible, that my children are in school “every time the doors are open” for study.

T/F      The development of my children as good, productive, loyal citizens of this country is important.

T/F      The church (the Body of Christ for which He died) is important and has a high priority in my family.

T/F      The spiritual education of my children is important and has a high priority in my family.

T/F      I consider it essential, if at all possible, that my children are at the church building “every time the doors are open” for study and/or worship.

T/F      The development of my children as good, productive, loyal citizens of God’s kingdom is important.

T/F      School is a higher priority than the church in my family.

T/F      The church is a higher priority than school in my family.

T/F      In view of eternity, the secular education of my children is more important than their spiritual education.

T/F      In view of eternity, the spiritual education of my children is more important than their secular education.

T/F      In view of eternity, the development of my children as good, productive, loyal citizens of this country is more important than their development as good, productive, loyal citizens of God’s Kingdom.

T/F I   In view of eternity, the development of my children as good, productive, loyal citizens of God’s Kingdom is more important than their development as good, productive, loyal citizens of this country.

T/F      The social development of my children (building close friendships/quality relationships at school, among non-Christians) is important.

T/F      The spiritual development of my children (building close friendships/ quality relationships within the church, among Christians) is important.

T/F      The social development of my children is more important than their spiritual development.

T/F      The spiritual development of my children is more important than their social development.

T/F      I will consider it a tragedy (and wonder if I might be responsible) if my children— once grown—forget all of the fundamental truths they were taught in school.

T/F      I will consider it a tragedy (and wonder if I might be responsible) if my children— once grown—forget all of the fundamental truths they were taught in Bible classes.

T/F      I will consider it a greater tragedy if my children forget all of the lessons of school than if they forget all of the lessons of Bible classes.

T/F     I will consider it a greater tragedy if my children forget all of the lessons of Bible classes than if they forget all of the lessons of school.

T/F      I will feel a personal sense of failure if I don’t do everything within my power to teach my children the importance of giving their best at school.

T/F      I will feel a personal sense of failure if I don’t do everything within my power to teach my children the importance of giving their best to the church.

T/F     I can effectively (i.e., with lasting results) teach my children to do what I am clearly unwilling to do myself.

T/F      My behavior consistently demonstrates to my children that the church (the Body of Christ, for which He died) is the highest priority in my life.

T/F      If the church is not the highest priority in my life, it is unlikely to be the highest priority in the lives of my children.

 [Note: Andy McClish wrote this article for and it was published in the weekly bulletin of Northside Church of Christ, Roswell, Georgia October 30, 2011.]

Attribution: From thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.

 

 

 

Author: Dub McClish

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