Godly parenting demands that we raise a child in the fear of the Lord in accordance with scripture. Other cultures have different philosophies. God’s principle is always the best, preserving the soul for eternity. The child must be a responsible citizen of the community. A Christian’s primary community is heaven. Jesus said in John 14: 2-3 in my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.
Different cultures have their own version of what makes one responsible. To one culture it may be worldliness, to another it may be Godliness. Our philosophy differs from God’s. James 4: 4 says the friend of the world is an enemy of God. Also Jesus asked in Matthew 16: 26; Mark 8: 36; Luke 9: 25 say for what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? A parent’s core objective is to ensure that the child under his care does not lose eternal life in Christ.
Parental responsibility
The rules of this world differ from the rules of God. Deuteronomy 11: 19 says teach them (scripture) to your children, talking about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Proverbs 22: 6 says train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray. The emphasis is to train the child. Proverbs 22: 15 says folly is bound up in the heart of a boy, but the rod of discipline drives it far away. Parents must be guided by Proverbs 22: 1 a good name is better than riches.
A number of us have deserted our children and not focus on a good name anymore. Proverbs 19: 18 says discipline your children while there is hope; do not set your heart on their destruction. The writer goes on to say in Proverbs 23: 13 do not withhold discipline from your children; if you beat them with a rod, they will not die. The rod must not be abused. Nurturing our children in the Lord will give us rest. Proverbs 29: 17 says discipline your children, and they will give you rest; they will give delight to your heart.
Women often take care of the children when it should be both parents. Children bully themselves but often only the mothers’ sooth their pains. Isaiah 3: 12 says my people– children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. Fathers must show their involvement and their faithfulness. Isaiah 38: 19 says fathers make known to children your faithfulness. Children observe whatever we do.
Child’s responsibility
Proverbs 1: 8; 6: 20 say hear, my child, your father’s instruction, and do not reject your mother’s teaching; for they are fair garland for your head, and pendants for your neck. A child is enjoined in Proverbs 3: 1 my child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandment. Teaching the child scripture and helping him to apply it to his life is very critical.
Ecclesiastics 7: 1 says a good name is better than precious ointment. We must help the child to apply what the parents have taught as worthy. Ephesians 6: 1 says children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Colossians 3: 20 says children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord. Parental command in God must be obeyed for they are deemed as coming from the Lord.
General guide for parents and children
Isaiah 54: 13 says all children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the prosperity of your children. We cannot leave God out of the equation. Ephesians 6: 4 says fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Let us not drive them away to seek solace elsewhere, Colossians 3: 21. We should not train the child to be lazy. Proverbs 10: 5 says a child who gathers in summer is prudent, but a child who sleeps in harvest brings shame.
To children, 1Timothy 4: 12 says let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Children must be guided in what they say and do and how to build their faith in holiness so they will avoid reproach. Philippians 4: 8 says… whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Question to parents?
To what extent do we involve God in the affairs of our children? Are we mindful of the souls of our children? Matthew 18: 6; Mark 9: 42; Luke 17: 2 say if any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Do we have the heavenly culture? Or worldly culture of wealth and greed without Christ?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, you came to save not only us, but our entire household. We therefore commit our children into your hands to prosper their souls in your blood. Make them humble to obey your word and give us the grace to teach them in the fear of the Lord. Help them to live lives of holiness, we pray in your holy name, Amen!!
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