I have heard the sad news from New Zealand. The mother and two daughters who had gone to New Zealand to study abroad had committed suicide. And the father who came to the funeral from Korea upon hearing the sad news also committed suicide on the day of the funeral. The parents who had pursued good education for their children had committed suicide, and even the children committed suicide.  As I was faced with the sad news of this separated family, I questioned once again, "What does it really mean to raise our children well?"

The goal of the children's education should not only be on entering into top-rated schools. It should not just be on acquiring mastery of another language. It is more important to help the children to mature into people of great character. It is important to raise the children with the ability to think so that they may be able to choose the right way for themselves. The role of a great parent is to raise the children to develop intelligence along with character and character along with spirituality. Professor Mahn-Jae Cho suggests a way to become a successful parent in his book, 《Add God In A Child's Life》. Just like the title of the book, he emphasizes that including God in the life of a child is the best way to become a successful parent. Professor Cho emphasizes heavily on the importance of books for the children's education.

Great parents know the power of reading from early on in their own lives. Almost all the historical figures laid their foundation of life as they learned to read, to feel, and to deeply understand the books they engaged through their parents from their childhood. Thomas Edison later became the best inventor through his mother's education of reading books. Edison expressed that he was able to succeed only because of his mother. Although he was a mentally challenged student in school, he had experienced transformation through the books he read. He had become the best inventor of the world that changed the course of human civilization through the books.

Abraham Lincoln, who is considered by many to be the greatest President in American history, had never put down the Bible from his hand because of the influence of his mother's teaching. Lincoln, who is considered to have read the most books amongst all the presidents, was able to develop his reading skill through Bible reading. One thing that most blessed him in his life was the Bible that his mother had given him. His mother, who passed away when he was 10 years old, left him the following note along with the Bible:  "My son! This is the Bible that I received from my parents. It is worn out from reading numerous times, but it is a precious treasure of our family. I, your mom, am truly happier that I am able to pass down this Bible to you rather than 100 acres of land. I want you to become a person of the Bible. And become a person who loves God and loves his neighbors. This is my last request."

The formal school education that Lincoln received was no more than 1 year all together. However, he loved to read books. Because he loved reading, he borrowed books to read. When he read 'The Biography of Washington,' he was greatly challenged and started to dream big. What made Lincoln great was the books he read. Most of all, it was the Bible. On the Inauguration Day in 1861, Lincoln opened his small and old Bible to Matthew 7:1, then he placed his hands on it and made the following confession: "Because of the Bible that my mom passed along to me, I am able to stand as the President. I promise that I will govern this country according to the Bible." Lincoln's mother found a way to bring balance between religious education and book studies to her son. Without his mother's teaching, Lincoln would not have been able to become the president with the combination of spirituality and intellect. Lincoln always started his day with the Scriptures and prayer. The Bible was always open on his table. He said, "If there was no Bible, We would not be able to discern right from wrong. I believe that the Bible is the greatest gift that God gave to mankind."

The most influential thing in Lincoln's life was the Bible that his mom read to him in his childhood. What we need most in this generation is the role of parents in reading the Bible to their children. We need the wisdom of parents to treasure books and to read books. Good books play a huge role on developing a child's intellect, character, and spirituality. In addition, it gives them big dreams and teaches them the ways to achieve those dreams. It gives them the right set of values. We need to return to the Bible. Return to good books. Return to God. This is the way to bless our children. It is the way to restore our family. It is the way to save humanity. Let us love the Bible and read the Bible. Let us become great parents who read the Bible to our children.