The audio from the 2007 Desiring God National Conference is now online. I have listened to an interview Justin Taylor did with John MacArthur and John Piper on the first night of the conference. One question had to do with what would you tell yourself, with the wisdom you had today, when you first started out in ministry? Without blinking an eye, Piper responded that he would give more attention to family leadership. He hinted at the following questions by Rich Gamache as ways to draw out the spiritual affections of your children:
How are your devotions?
What is God teaching you?
In your own words, what is the gospel?
Is there a specific sin you’re aware of that you need my help defeating?
Are you more aware of my encouragement or my criticism?
What’s daddy most passionate about?
Do I act the same at church as I do when I’m at home?
Are you aware of my love for you?
Is there any way I’ve sinned against you that I’ve not repented of?
Do you have any observations for me?
How am I doing as a dad?
How have Sunday’s sermons impacted you?
Does my relationship with mom make you excited to be married?
(On top of these things, with my older kids, I’m always inquiring about their relationship with their friends and making sure God and his gospel are the center of those relationship. And I look for every opportunity to praise their mother and increase their appreciation and love for her.)
Use these in your own home to draw out your children for deeper spiritual fruit.