Spiritual Training...and Freethrows

The Mission at Kanakuk and K-West is clear: we want to develop Dynamic Christian leaders.

How do we do it? We take the basic ingredients of life changing experiences, Godly relationships, and Spiritual Training, then add those to the most exciting kamp properties and the worlds greatest staff, and somehow in the midst of it all God honors and blesses tremendous growth. It is humbling to see how the Lord launches world class leaders year after year.

Everyone knows the Wiebe family loves basketball. Not too long ago my alamater lost the national championship because our entire team failed to make their free throws. The lack of execution of something so simple and so fundamental to the game, cost us dearly. Because of that failure, I wanted to be sure my own kids (and the kids of K-West) would always learn the skill of shooting free throws properly.

The same holds true for all of us who are parents when we think about spiritual training. When our kids fail to execute the most fundamental principles of being a strong leader, it can cost them dearly. So how do we train well?

In the picture above are our sons and their friends being ball boys for the NAIA national championship a few years ago. They all started when they were very young. It was the first step in helping create vision for basketball in their lives. They thought it would be fun to return to doing some of the things they learned as 7 year olds, even though they were all in high school. It was hilarious watching them.

Helping grow your kids into leaders can start at any age, but especially what they learn when they are young. Our counselors do a wonderful job with nightly devotions, leading bible studies, and helping answer tough life questions with firm foundational answers from the scriptures. Those seeds take root and grow them as leaders.

Here is some encouragement to help you make the most of the little things so important to basic spiritual training during the school year:

1. Help create vision in your kids lives. As a parent, it's our job to help our children see what is truly important in life and what is priority. Pick good role models for them to follow, and don't forget, you are the most important one they will ever see.
2. Cover fundamentals. Teach, talk, walk out, and write the truth of scripture into their hearts (Deuteronomy 6:4-8). Read this passage and pick one area to focus on as a family this week. Some of our best leadership training has happened in car pools or fast food restaurants after a tough loss.
3. Repetition is key. Praying and reading a short devotional each morning while you eat cereal with your kids is brief but effective. Nightly tucking in your children with prayer is not only fun, it's life changing. Remember to just listen and ask a question or two.
4. Write it down. We also have a chalk board by the back door that I love to write different verses on to remind us what we set our mind on as we face the day. There is something about seeing it written out that makes us think and move towards growth. Leaving a note in their lunch box or on the mirror can be a wonderful source of encouragement.

Leadership always comes back to little things. If we desire to see our kids grow, we have to help them hone their skills at the basic things in life. And by the way, if they play basketball, be sure they can make 10 free throws in a row this week. It might just pay off someday.

Life Changing Experience

Part of the Mission of Kanakuk is that we like to bring about leadership growth through life changing experiences. Of course we have talks and challenge them with scripture, but we also build some pretty neat memories on water slides, the lake front, and in the Tree Tops.

There is nothing sweeter than to see a young person grow when they come to K-West. It's fun to know that over the years we have helped countless campers grow in their walk with Christ, grow as a leader, and just "grow up" physically (the Four Square Life).

When I think about life changing experience in my life, one thing that comes to mind quickly is when my kids showed up and came into the world. Becoming a father is one of the best things in life. The only thing better is growing them up into leaders.

Three gfits to give to your kids every day that will help you in the journey are:

• YOUR TIME You will never regret spending time with your children at school plays, sports events, or science fairs. Do something unexpected with your kids this week. Show up and take them to lunch at their school.
• YOUR WORDS After working with thousands of youth for over three decades I have seen the importance of speaking well to your children and telling them how proud you are of them and how much you love them. Today is always a great day to do something out of the ordinary with a note or a few extra words to communicate your love for them.
• YOUR PRAYERS Taking a moment daily to pray with your child is a deposit that will return eternal dividends, not to mention bolster their faith now as they navigate the world and all it's bumps and bruises.

Babies are born every day. It's a common occurrence that no one thinks about until it's their own. Life change happens and a fantastic journey begins. Enjoy raising your kids today. By God's grace, you can be a life changer in some of the most common things that happen every day: your time, words, and your prayers.