From Wes Widner at Reason to Stand.
Excerpt:
What is the goal of parenthood?
Before we explore what it is, let’s dispel some myths of what it is not.
The goal of parenthood is not to…
- make kids feel good about themselves
- relive our childhood
- fix parents mistakes
- keep them from pain
While some of these things are otherwise good goals, they are accidental to the true goal of parenting.
Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the rules that the LORD your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, that you may fear the LORD your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long.
Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
–Deuteronomy 6:1-9Simply put, the goal of parenting is to produce disciples.
Disciples of what? Disciples of our lives.
Bolding is mine. This is called the shema, by the way, a verse that is sacred to the Jewish people. You cannot understand Judaism without this verse.
When I think about marriage, one of the “design scenarios” that I think of is what sort of children will the marriage produce. In fact, this the main scenario that I use for spouse evaluation. I consider the person’s ability to satisfy the requirements of raising children who will know the Lord. It’s very hard to do because I tend to focus on things like politics and apologetics. But a lot of the problem is just finding someone who cares about other people and is willing to invest in relationships instead of wanting to have fun, fun, fun all the time with friends at parties, dances and gatherings. Someone who cares about what other people believe, and who is willing to invest in them and help them along.
WINTERY KNIGHT 
Excellent post from Wes.
WK, I get what you’re saying about not being frivolous in one’s focus. Just don’t underestimate what God can do with “parties, dances and gatherings”. I have met a lot of non-christians that way and been able to speak into their lives. I go to a birthday party with non-christians and end up talking about the meaning of life with them. Christians need to learn how to steer the conversation in such circumstances. Sometimes I go to dances and then I end up sitting there with a Bible and explaining things to people there. A few weeks ago we got talking about the Nephilim of all things at a ballroom social! Provided we keep away from situations that can lead to bad things, we should actually seek out social events. It’s not more holy to sit at home. :) Christians can easily get into a perverse pattern of intentionally choosing not to have fun because it makes us feel more holy because we’re more miserable. But that’s a self-centred thing, focussed on how we feel about ourselves. The holiest Christians are not the most miserable ones, but the ones who seek first the Kingdom of God, and delight in Him whatever their circumstances. The holiest Christians are the self-forgetful ones, rather than the flagellants.
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plus one aspect of the fruit of the spirit is joy!
we should be infectuous in our love for the Gospel and we should be actively loving people!
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Indeed! :)
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