Given my role in the church and the phase of life I’m in, I have read many (too many?) parenting books over the past few years. One thing I’ve learned: most parenting books are basically the same. But last month I read a (mercifully) short book by Thomas Smyth called “The Mission of Parenting,” and it was so unlike anything that has come out in recent years. This 45-page booklet (told you mercifully short) covers the topic of training up the next generation to have a heart for supporting missions. There are a number of books out there on youth serving in short term mission trips, but I haven’t read a book before that so clearly and passionately argues of the importance of training our children to love and support the work of Christian missions. 

Writing in 1846, Smyth was concerned with what he saw was a lack of zeal for the support of missionaries in the church. He was convinced that part of the responsibility of the church (and the families that make up the church) is to not just instruct children in right beliefs, but to encourage a desire to pray and give to the work of the mission of the church. One argument he makes is that “the sooner children begin to learn [it is more blessed to give than receive], the better they will know it. The sooner children begin to work for Christ, the longer they will work for him.” Just like getting a child involved in a sport early in life can help develop talent and enjoyment for that sport all throughout their life, so too can children be encouraged to love missions and desire in their ability to give to its work. Likewise, the later a child starts at this, it is often more difficult to develop the love and habit of concern. 

 It is the responsibility of the church and families to teach and model the importance of missions by praying for missionaries and mission works near and far. We can also encourage children to save and give to mission works; we’re currently working on avenues for these very things through the Sunday School Ministry and Vacation Bible School. Without diminishing the value of going on a Short-Term Mission trip, the regular and ordinary emphasizing of missions in our homes and church through prayer, saving, and giving will make deeper wells of consistent concern for the salvation of the lost. 

 Our God has given the mission of the spread of the gospel to the church, and that includes our children. Our children can develop a heart that loves the mission of the church even from an early age. Let’s not underestimate what they are able to do! The Lord can use our children to work powerfully in the present and future generations!