Chapter 7: Under the Hood

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The Bible and Who We Are

n the seventies, Dodge introduced the Dodge Colt.  Theresa and I had never owned a new car, and I was determined to get one of these highly rated compact cars for her as a surprise.  I did the research to make sure the consumer guides rated the Colt highly.  The financing was even pre-arranged with the bank, and I knew exactly what the dealer paid for the car, so I was determined to pay no more than two hundred dollars over factory invoice. 

            I was on a mission as I entered the dealership to purchase the car.  Nothing could detour my determination to bring home a shiny new car to my unsuspecting bride, not even the color.  Theresa and I were just starting our young family, so I wanted a four-door station wagon to haul our children around. The dealer had one on the lot and it met all my criteria.  The salesman and I haggled for a couple of hours, but I came away victorious; the car I wanted at the price I wanted to pay on the day I was determined to surprise my sweetheart. 

            Later, I drove the Colt home, parked it in the driveway, and went in to surprise Theresa.  I couldn’t wait to see the look on her face! Her reaction surprised me because it was quite different than I had expected. Theresa gave me one of those “I am trying to hide my disgust” smiles. 

“It’s school bus orange,” she lamented.

I had it all figured out as I blurted out “everyone will see you coming, it is the safest color on the road.”

Theresa was not convinced.  She drove Mike, James, Jason, and Rachel around in the car for more than seven years.  The school bus orange Dodge Colt became part of Theresa’s identity. Everyone could see her coming.  They knew it was the Adams’ pulling into the church parking lot, they couldn’t miss us.  Theresa was a good sport about the whole ordeal until it came time to purchase another car, she was intimately involved in the purchase.

Now when we get ready to purchase a new car the first thing we do is get a glossy brochure.  Brochures are intended to give the reader an appreciation for the automaker and their creation.  The pamphlet will detail the auto’s capabilities and bring the reader one step closer to purchasing the car.  The brochure highlights the year, make, model, and manufacturer, and describes its discriminating features. 

Photos in the brochure will reveal the cars fine points, and give you a look at the exterior, (even the available colors), the interior and a glimpse under the hood.  The text will focus the reader on the benefits of owning this automobile and list its features.  The brochure gives the automobile an identity by which it is known.

            Just as the manufacturer of an automobile gives his creation an identity, the Bible gives man an identity by outlining his distinguishing characteristics and giving the reader an appreciation for mans design and capabilities. 

Completing the Picture.

This section of the book will give Christians an appreciation for who they have become when they accepted Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior. In the first six chapters, we concentrated on knowing your child from a human perspective and raising them according to “the way they should go.” This chapter will concentrate on teaching your child high-octane values and teaching them what their inheritance is in Christ.  High-octane living is about living the life God made your child for and in the context which He put them in. 

Made in the Image of God.

The Bible says man is made in the image of God.  We have all fallen from the original glorious state given to us in the garden, but we are still made in His image.  This is true even after the fall, the Apostle Paul confirmed it in 1Corintians 11:7 where he says “For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God  .  .  .”

This word “image” means man is created as a likeness, or (figuratively) a representation or resemblance.  What a wonderful picture the Bible paints of just who we are.  Your child is made in the likeness of Jesus, the Creator of the universe who took on the form of a man.  Hebrews 1:3 says,  “And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature . . . ”

            Being in the image of God means we have capabilities, which are representative of the capabilities of God Himself.  Humans are not all knowing, all powerful and we cannot be every place at the same time like God, but we do have the capacity to know things, logically reason through issues and choose right from wrong.

Adopted and Chosen.

If your Child knows Jesus as Savior, they have been adopted into the family of God who were chosen right at the foundation of the world. Ephesians 1:4 says, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him . . . ”  God decided ahead of time to save the human race though the chosen line of Adam and Eve through Seth.  The Bible is clear about the lineage of Christ and it can be followed all the way back to Adams and Eve through Seth.  The other line could have been Cain, but Cain was a murderer and following his lineage through the book of Genesis you will find a people who did not walk with God whereas the offspring of Seth knew God.

Peter took it even further.  In 1 Peter 2:9-10 he says “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR [God's] OWN POSSESSION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.” 

Christians are adopted as sons and daughters of God and can therefore proclaim the excellencies of Christ to the world.  It is part of their purpose in the world to be a witness.  It is our responsibility as Christian parents to provide our children with the opportunity to do so.  You can accomplish this by getting them involved in church activities and organized activities where they can express their faith publicly.  Don’t expect your child to be the next John the Baptist, but set the expectation they should use their talents and gifts to proclaim Christ, it is their right, duty and a matter of honor to proclaim Christ as risen, Christ as Savior and Lord.

Members of Christ’s Body.

Being a member of the Body of Christ is not a title; it is a state of being.  As a member of Christ’s body we have certain privileges and responsibilities.  We are important links in a chain, linked together by common belief and conviction, and empowered by God himself to accomplish His purpose both in the church and in the world.  Our children can provide important contributions as they fulfill their responsibilities to the rest of the body.

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12:27, “Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it.”  Encouraging your child to use his or her gifts through both church and public events will allow them to participate as members of Christ’s body and prepare them to serve the Lord for the rest of their lives. 

In her early teens, our daughter, Rachel was interested in working with AWANA Club kids.  AWANA is a great program sponsored by local churches where children learn Bible verses and application.  Being an AWANA leader fit Rachel’s personality.  She loved the kids and would call them during the week, take them candy and encourage them to learn the Word of God.  It was Rachel’s way of becoming a part of the Body of Christ.  Through it she could minister in a way, which fit her personality and allow use of her gifts, both spiritual and natural.

Our youngest son, Jason uses his gifts as a musician by playing drums with the church praise team.  Our oldest, Mike Jr. worked with kids as a skate coach at both church and community events. James ministered to athletes at track meets and was a public testimony as he gave glory to God both before and after an event.

Not only are we members of the body of Christ, in 2 Corintians 11:2 we are addressed as “The Lord’s Betrothed”, “For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, that to Christ I might present you [as] a pure virgin.”  Your child is part of the Body of Christ and as such is called the Bride of Christ.  As the Bride of Christ we all have the joy of serving the Lord in many different capacities.  What a joy if members of the body serve in their strengths, in the way, which God made them to serve. 

Made with Forethought.

Psalm 139:13-16 says, “For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Thy works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from Thee, When I was made in secret, [And] skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth.  16 Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Thy book they were all written, The days that were ordained [for me], When as yet there was not one of them.”  Planning and care beyond our comprehension went into making your child, even before you knew the child was on the way God had it all planned. 

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”   Children are not an accident.  God plans every child and each one of us has great importance in life because of it.  God does have a plan for each and every life.  He made your child to prosper in ways, which glorify Him, and which ultimately bring the greatest satisfaction and rewards to the child.

Theresa and I took a trip to Arizona shortly after we were married to visit my Grandparents.  We had recently sold a business and I was considering opening a beer bar and dance hall.  I loved music, people, and parties so it seemed the logical business to be in.  Theresa and I had been exposed to Christianity at an early age.  Both of us had responded to the gospel message but we were not brought up in the church so we did not understand the implications of owning this particular type of business, which encouraged the vices in which we are so easily entangled. 

 When I laid out my plans to my Grandfather, who was brought up in the church (but was not attending as an adult), he immediately saw the folly in my plan.  He did not make a big deal about it but what he said captured my attention and convinced me I was headed in the wrong direction.  He explained making a profit off of other peoples weaknesses was not a noble business.  God made us for good works.  Works, which bless others, works we were meant to do from the time God formed us in our mother’s womb.

If God took such care in making a child, the implication is we should take great care in raising the child, in planning his future.  Not a future we want for them but the future God made them for.  Since God is there Creator, He alone has the right to decide what their lives should be about.  He has given us ample resources to discover how the child has been made and it is our joy to connect the dots and direct the child.

Experience and Truth – Trusting the Rule Book.

            I can relate to the popular poster, which says, “Get your teenager into the work force while they still know everything.”  As a teen I was very idealistic about everything. I had opinions about how the government should run, how schools should be set up, and how wars should be fought.  I thought if people would just listen to my idealistic approach to life we would achieve world peace. 

            In my teen years I spent many hours complaining about and trying to improve on traffic rules and regulations.  Many of them seemed to be poorly thought out and cumbersome.  I did not have the insights and experience necessary to appreciate how well the system is actually thought out.  Our traffic laws are the result of many years of traffic pattern study, learning from mistakes and careful planning.  To the novice it looks cumbersome and restrictive, but to the trained mind it is a work of genius.  There are good reasons for the way the roads and highways are built, and how they are maintained.  I wish the traffic signals were synchronized down Main Street in our little town like they are in downtown San Diego.  But I trust there are good reasons they are not.

Over time, I have gained knowledge and understanding about why things are done the way they are.  Through experience I have learned to trust the designer and I now know there are good reasons things work the way they do.  Through experience I have learned to trust.

            I have found the same truth in my personal walk as a Christian.  Early on in my walk with the Lord I did not see the logic, or even the wisdom in many of the things we are commanded to do.  Over the years I have found there are good reasons for the commands and precepts given to us by the Lord.  I have observed life through time and have come to the logical conclusion I can and should trust the Lord.

For a child to live out his or her Biblical identity, it is necessary for them to see it modeled, to see it communicated to them through observation over time.  Your children will learn to trust what you and the Lord tell them by observing people they meet.  They will trust the results they can see and experience.  This is one of the reasons it is so important to put them in situations where they can meet and observe successful people.  Not people as the tabloids define success, but the way God defines successful.  Churches are full of people who live their faith, everyone will strike out regularly, but you can find believers who have great batting averages.

The most influential persons in a child’s life, however, are their parents.  If parents model a life of faith the child will see God’s way works and will desire to follow the same path.  Observing examples of faith lived out over time will build a trust in your child.  They will come to the natural conclusion God’s way is the best way because it works for mom and dad.  If you are a single parent it is extremely important to surround yourself with other successful married Christians and bring your children into those relationships.  Join a small group at church, go to church picnics, setup times with others at the park or go camping.

            There are many passages in the Bible encouraging, (if not commanding) us to be fearless, courageous, faithful, meek, longsuffering and to be lovers of God and man.  When we act on these commandments it brings joy to our lives, when we avoid them the results are tragic.  If your children see you and others living out God’s precepts they will conclude they are beneficial and it will help motivate them to live according to the precepts God has laid out for them in His word. 

Children are like Arrows.

            Psalm 127:3-4 says, “Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth.”  On the surface this sounds like a simple charge.  The implications, however, are quite profound.  An archer is skilled at not only hitting the target but at finding the appropriate target.  He is charged with finding a target of opportunity.  He must make sure his arrow is used to its fullest potential.  Then he is commanded to prepare to release the arrow.  To skillfully load, point and release the arrow toward the right target.  The implication is the archer has knowledge of the arrow’s capabilities.  He needs to know how the arrow will fly, how far it will travel, what its trajectory should be, and what its impact will accomplish. 

            If parents are like archers charged with pointing their children in the way they should go, we must have knowledge of how the child has been made. We need to know what their values are, what the Bible says about who they are in Christ and we need to understand why they look at the world they way they do. 

Connecting the Dots for High Octane Kids.

You now have the foundation of what Raising High Octane Kids is all about.  We have dots of knowledge consisting of the building blocks God used in making your child.  He has given them a unique Personality, Behavior Style, Strengths and Talents, Values and a Biblical Identity.  We have connected the dots with an understanding of how to discover what these different traits are.  We have also seen how knowing this information can give you a more complete picture of who your child is, and the importance of encouraging a child in a direction they were created to pursue.

Understanding your child’s strengths, personality, behavioral traits, values and Biblical identity will give you the high-octane fuel you need to raise your child in the way he should go.  You now have the High Octane Fuel needed to power High Octane Kids.

Next we will learn what these different traits actually look like in people, and how to fuel your children with High Octane Fuel.   

List traits you see in your children, which remind you they are made by God.