Articles
BRINGING UP OUR CHILDREN GOD'S WAY.
Any of us who have raised children, or may be in the process of bringing them up know there are many challenges. Beginning at birth and all through the growing up period many decisions have to be made. Probably, most of us who are older and have raised their children already can look back and see some things that needed to be done differently. I know, for myself, I am a bit sad I didn't spend more time doing things with my kids as they grew up. But we can't do back and do things over. So, let's look at some things that teach us in BRINGING UP OUR CHILDREN GOD'S WAY.
From the very beginning of time God has put in place certain instructions for parents to follow. One thing God emphasizes often is the need for DISCIPLINE.
DISCIPLINE in the area of training and bringing up our children is mostly training in God's way. Yet at times there is need for correction. Correction must be done out of love and concern for the welfare of the child (Ephesians 6:4f)
"And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but BRING THEM UP IN THE DISCIPLINE AND INSTRUCTION OF THE LORD." (Ephesians 6:4)
We find, back in the days of Moses and the Nation of Israel, God's law for the family was to give special attention to raising of the children. The importance of a godly family was to be the center of God's plan for a great nation.
"And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall BE ON YOUR HEART; and you SHALL TEACH THEM DILIGENTLY TO YOUR SONS and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up; they SHALL BE AS FRONTALS ON YOUR FOREHEAD. AND YOU SHALL WRITE THEM ON THE DOORPOST OF YOUR, HOUSE AND ON YOUR GATES." (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
"For I have chosen him, in order that HE MAY COMMAND HIS CHILDREN, AND HIS HOUSEHOLD AFTER HIM, TO KEEP THE WAY OF THE LORD BY DOING RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE; IN ORDER THAT THE LORD MAY BRING UPON ABRAHAM WHAT HE HAS SPOKEN ABOUT HIM." (Genesis 18:19)
"And you shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up." (Deuteronomy 11:19)
History tells us when the family fails (and departs God's ways) that nation no longer will succeed or prosper for very long. God's way for the family to succeed is to bring up children the way He instructs and commands. Who knows better how to raise our children than the Lord Himself?
"Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not exasperate your children, that they may not lose heart." (Colossians 3:20,21)
"TRAIN UP A CHILD IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GO, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. " (Proverbs 22:6)
To have fathers and mothers who will listen to the Lord and His words in raising children will prove how great their love is for them. Sometimes to love is to use strong corrective discipline; however, as He teaches, if done with love and concern it will always produce the right outcome.
"He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who LOVES HIM DISCIPLINES HIM DILIGENTLY." (Proverbs 13:24)
"Foolishness is bound of in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him. " (Proverbs 22:15)
"The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother." (Proverbs 29:15)
"Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; He will also delight your soul." (Proverbs 29:17)
God never expects any parent to abuse their child; however, when He says, "rod of discipline" He is saying to use a form of strong discipline thereby letting the child know and understand right from wrong. I don't think "sending one to his room" would qualify as "strong discipline" do you"
Finally, we find from the words of the Hebrew writer how important proper discipline and training is, for all God's people.
"Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, BUT HE DISCIPLINES US FOR OUR GOOD, THAT WE MAY SHARE HIS HOLINESS." (Hebrews 12:9,10)_
We must look to God and His Word for the proper way to use discipline and training in order to please Him and conduct our lives in accordance with His Will. Jesus is our perfect example. The little we have recorded in the Gospels about Jesus' early life demonstrates his respect and love for HIs parents.
If we follow God's instructions in raising our children, we can also share that special relationship between parent and child. Are we listening?
Ross
