Parenting and Heroes

by Jimmy Draper                                                                                                                                       Vol. XV, No. 9, October 2002

President, LifeWay Christian Resources of the SBC

Researchers Samuel and Pearl Oliner have released a study, "The Altruistic Personality," in which they compared the childhoods of 800 people who became heroes during the Holocaust and 250 who were bystanders, refusing to get involved in saving lives. They identified four primary differences.

First, parents of future heroes were more likely to talk with their children and explain how negative behavior would impact others. Bystanders reported more physical punishment and verbal abuse from parents.

Second, parents of heroes more often set an example of community involvement and helping others.

Third, heroes were more likely to have been exposed to people of diverse backgrounds, social classes, and religions.

Finally, the families of heroes tended to be more spiritual. In fact, Oliner said in a November article in USA Today, "They were Christians with a capital C, not the kind who came home and made racist remarks."

In another, similar study, Columbia University psychologist Elizabeth Midlarsky concluded that heroes "grow up to feel they must be their brother's keeper."

Our challenge as Christian parents and grandparents is not, first of all, to raise heroes. But the insights in these studies affirm that teaching biblical principles, spending time with our children, modeling the principles we teach and leading them to faith in Christ all make a positive difference, not just for this life but for eternity.

Re-read Psalm 78, about passing on our faith to future generations. Then go and do likewise.

LifeWay@Heart is written by Jimmy Draper and e-mailed periodically. LifeWay@Heart may be forwarded to any person who would like to receive it. You may subscribe by going to http://www.lifeway.com/form_heart.asp, fill in your name and email address and click on "Subscribe."