Scriptural Advice For
Raising Children
By Inez Haythorn
Everywhere we look, there is an article or
book about how to raise children. An author will strongly give one
opinion, and another writer will just as strongly give another. Some
support old fashioned values, others think we need to loosen up.
What are parents supposed to believe? We have the desire to bring
our children up well, wanting them to be godly, responsible,
productive, and successful adults. We want them to be a joy to us,
and not bring us a lifetime of grief. But how do we achieve that?
How do we get the wisdom needed for such an awesome responsibility?
Let's look to the Bible as our infallible
source of advice. Why not get our guidance from God, who created our
children, and knows exactly what they need? Here are a few of the
many scriptural guidelines for raising our children.
OUR DUTIES AS PARENTS
To love them (Titus 2:4)
To bring them to Christ (Matthew 19:13,14)
To train them up for God (Proverbs 22:6;
Ephesians 6:4)
To instruct them in God's word (Deuteronomy
4:9; 11:19; Isaiah 38:19)
To tell them of God's judgments (Joel 1:3)
To tell them of the miraculous works of God
(Exodus 10:2; Psalms 78:4)
To command them to obey God (Deuteronomy
32:46; 1 Chronicles 28:9)
To bless them (Genesis 48:15; Hebrews
11:20)
To pity them (Psalms 103:13)
To provide for them (Job 42:15; 2
Corinthians 12:14; 1 Timothy 5:8)
To rule them (1 Timothy 3:4,12)
To correct them (Proverbs 13:24; 19:18;
23:13; 29:17; Hebrews 12:7)
Not to provoke them (Ephesians 6:4;
Colossians 3:21)
Pray for them (Lamentations 2:19)
RESULTS OF GODLY PARENTING
They will not bring their parents shame.
(Proverbs 29:15)
They will not depart from Christian teaching
when they are older. (Proverbs 22:6)
They will have great peace. (Isaiah 54:13)
They will bring us joy.
(Proverbs
15:20)
They will give us peace and delight to our
soul. (Proverbs 29:17)
They will rise up and call us blessed.
(Proverbs 31:28)
Keeping God's commands will help prolong
their lives, bring them prosperity, and win them favor and a good
name in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:1,2,4)
Who would not want all these wonderful
benefits for their children? Yet, we are only human. How can we
accomplish all this? Let's remember these promises.
If you lack wisdom, ask God and He will
give it to you. (James 1:5)
We can do all things through Christ who
strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13)
Pray! The prayer of the righteous is
powerful and effective. (James 5:16)
In conclusion, we don't have to be confused
and unstable in our child rearing. By bringing up our children
according to the Bible, we will all enjoy the benefits, both now and
eternally!
Inez Haythorn is a
Christian wife, mother, elementary school teacher, pianist, and
freelance writer. Her main writing interests are Christian writing,
and writing about lifestyles and memoirs of the past. She is the
publisher of Christian Family Treasures, Heirloom Memories, and
Cherished Collections. Her goal is to glorify and honor God, and
bless and help others. Copyright 2003. All rights reserved. http://www.christianfamilytreasures.com http://www.heirloom-memories.com http://www.cherishedcollections.com
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