Do you want to raise a Pharisee? I don’t. But just in case you do, here is a 12 step program on How to Raise a Pharisee. With tongue firmly in check, this presentation reminds us as parents of things NOT to do. I might have a quibble with one or two things but still lots of wisdom. To raise a Pharisee you should:
- Major on external instead of internal issues
- Take excessive control
- Overreact to failure
- Be unforgiving and impatient
- Elevate preference over biblical principle
- Have unnecessary separatism
- Judge others…other families
- Be “belligerent”—a fighter
- Show favoritism
- Have No humor
- Build up their self-esteem
- Show a lack of genuine spirituality
Read the whole thing.