Parenting is probably the one biggest challenge we face. But it is also one of the greatest joys and blessings that God has given us. Someone says sound travels slowly. Sometimes the things you say when your kids are teenagers don’t reach them until they’re in their forties.
Our primary responsibility as parents is to disciple and evangelize our children. The Great Commission should begin in the home – Matthew 28:18ff. Parenting is a process. It is something that takes nearly 20 years to accomplish!
How can we parent our children in this real world we live in (Ephesians 6:4)?
PREPARE OUR CHILDREN’S HEARTS
We want to make the best possible environment for our children to be receptive to Jesus Christ. The soil is the environment in our home. Hypocrisy and dishonesty are poisons that kill the plant. Integrity and love are the fertilizer that help the plant grow strong and true.
First, we need to teach our children that certain things are right and wrong and then expect them to learn that. Children need to be taught that disobedience carries consequences. Spanking for young children – who are too young to punish otherwise – is effective. Let us never forget that God teaches parents to spank (Proverbs 22:15). Dr. James Dobson, in his book The New Dare to Discipline is a good source for parents. The thing about discipline is that if it doesn’t hurt, it’s not worthy avoiding!
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Pride is a huge obstacle to good parenting. We need to be humble when dealing with and parenting our children. That’s the one way that Jesus chose to describe Himself (Matthew 11:29). There’s nothing wrong and a lot right with parents asking their children to forgive them when they’ve done something or said something wrong.
How do we teach our children to be humble? Mainly through example. Children should see us and hear us asking other people, including God, for advice. That teaches them that we don’t believe we have all the answers! Again, we should admit when we are wrong and ask them for forgiveness. We should also meditate on what it means to be humble. Finally, our children should see us and hear us reading the Bible – if we don’t have a family devotional – because it teaches them, again, that we know we need to rely on God for guidance.
Finally, we need to enjoy our children. Jesus enjoy the presence of children (Matthew 18:1-6). Never give your children any indication that you believe they are anything but gifts from God! Be a part of their world – enjoy doing what they enjoy. Encourage them in the path of interests they have naturally chosen. And, include them in your world. If you have girls, teach them to hunt or fish. Include them in changing the oil in the car. Teaching them to be a part of your world, shows them you value them and want them to be a part of your world. If you have boys, teach them to cook for the same reason. A woman who is married to a man who can cook will thank his mom over and over again!
Psalm 127 teaches that children are like arrows in the hand of a mighty man. We are sending them back to God. Let us accept that responsibility and fulfill it prayerfully and seriously.
–Paul Holland
