Question:

How can I teach my kids to be good christians when they aren’t even saved?

This can seem like a daunting question. We know that it is only the Spirit who produces the fruit of good works and that (as the 1689 London Baptist Confession states) “Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands … cannot please God.” But, we must not forget that “their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing to God.”

Example:

So how can we teach our unregenerate children to do good?

My kids are all young (3-9 years old). None of them can drive. Yet, they all know the way to their grandparents house. Why? Because I have showed them the way. I have brought them along with me as I have gone. They know the way so well that if ever I make a detour or try a new route, they call me on it. My kids can’t go the way themselves, but they know the way.

Once my kids get a license, I will not need to draw a map or give them directions to their grandparents. They may not know what all the streets are called or even remember the exact address, but they will know the way. When they are old, they’ll be able to go the way because they were taught the way when they were young.

Answer:

How can we teach our unregenerate children to do good?

The question may seem daunting, but Scripture answers it very simply. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Train up a children in the way they should go (now—before they can drive, before they can go the way, before the Lord has worked in their lives); even when they are old (later—when they get a license, when they can go the way, when the Lord has worked in their lives) they will not depart from it.