Parenting is one of the greatest blessings under the sun. Ps 127:3-5. “The children whom God has graciously given your servant” (Gen 33:5).

ONE: SET YOUR SIGHTS ON THE TARGET

Goals are important. Jimmy Valvano: “You get sick and you say to yourself, ‘Sports means nothing,’ and that feels terrible.” “I figured I’d have 20 years in the big time, who knows, maybe win three national titles, then pack it in at 53 or I was going to make it all up to them, all the time I’d been away.... It sounds silly now.... But it went on and on, that insatiable desire to conquer the world.”

The Bible teaches goals are important. “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it” (1 Cor 9:24). “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:14).

People can accomplish much with goals. Noah. “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (Heb 11:7). Jesus. “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth” (Mk 1:38). “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt 20:28).

WHAT GOAL DO WE NEED AS PARENTS?

Only one goal matters: Raising faithful children. Deut 6:6-7. “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6). Prov 23:13-14.

TWO: COMMIT TO HITTING THE BULLSEYE

Parents sacrificed of themselves in order to reach that goal. Scripture teaches the importance of service. Mk 10: “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (Jn 13:14).

“Parenting requires your best, your dedication, your attention. It involves self-discipline. Good families don’t just happen. Sometimes you have to choose between what you want to do and what you ought to do. It is difficult to be good at both golf and tennis. You have to select and choose. You have to take time and do it right. We have our children for such a short time. If you don’t do it now, it won’t get done. Early in the marriage we decided we wanted children. We also decided we would make them a top priority in our lives. Parents need to be there not just to conceive them, but to nurture them. If the parents don’t nurture their children, it won’t get done.”

Mary is a wonderful example. Lk 1: “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38). Think of Mary’s sacrifice: Lk 2:35. Lk 2:48.

THREE: NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP

Charles Spurgeon: “The snail would never have made it to the ark except through perseverance.” Scripture teaches persistence. “Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God” (Acts 13:43). “Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Gal 6:9). “We also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb 12:1).