Raising Our Children Well
Child rearing is the most important responsibility for us, as parents. It takes a loving father and mother to accomplish this task, since both of them bring unique qualities to the task. Of course, the grace of God can enable a single parent to do well, too, but it is even more of a challenge. We must remember that children are God's gift to us, and we are stewards of His gifts. Therefore, we are to rear them in the way Jesus would bring them up. That is why knowing God's Word is so important for parents. The book of Proverbs gives us many principles to guide us, as parents. (Proverbs 22:6,15) God told us to start out a youth on his way, and then when he grows old, he will not depart from it. Also, Foolishness is bound to the heart of a youth, so we must use a rod of discipline to separate it from him. I believe these two verses are great principles for us in child rearing God's way.
It is essential that we, as parents, start our children out on their way correctly. We must begin this at birth, or we will have to restart them later, which is far more difficult than getting them started on the right track. This requires us to have a plan based on God's Word, since it is God's way that is important. We shouldn't start them on "our way." Many parents try to get their children to do what they wish they had done, and that may not be the right way for their child. This is why we must pray for God to show us how to guide each child from the beginning, because each one will be unique. Then, we must realize that foolishness is bound to the heart of each child. Foolishness is acting as if there is no God and doing things that are contrary to God's will. God designed us so that punishment is a tool to eliminate wrong behavior. Therefore, we must use a rod of discipline to separate the foolishness from our child. I know this is controversial, but it is God's Word. Of course, we never discipline in anger, but always in love. Then, when we have administered a rod, we must lovingly teach them the right way and hold them accountable consistently. These two principles will be invaluable to those who are rearing children, and even if we are not raising children now, we can share them with others who are.
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Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 23-25.