Love children enough to be good examples to
them. The way we as parents act and react must be how we expect our children to
act and react. As parents we are their example of “how to”. Don’t think we can
expect children to only follow our words, not follow our behavior. Many parents
fall into the category of “do as I say and not as I do”. Is that a good method
of training children how to behave? (Matthew 23:3).
Love children
enough to teach them. Don’t depend on
someone else to teach them. Teach them yourself about the Lord, His church,
moral purity, marriage, salvation, and heaven. Sure, a lot of teaching occurs
at church activities. It is very important to ensure your children are put in a
position to be part of these activities. That environment will promote good opportunities
for learning, but, that doesn’t fulfill your responsibility to teach them. .
Ephesians 6:4 commands that children be brought up in the nurture and
admonition of the Lord. That is on us as parents.
Love children enough to discipline them.
Probably one of the hardest things parents must do is admit their child did
wrong and discipline them accordingly. Parents need to agree on the need and
method of discipline. The Bible is very clear about the need for and the
results of not using discipline. “He that spareth the rod hateth his son”
(Proverbs 13:24). He who loves will chasten (Revelation 3:19). Discipline brings
about the peaceable fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12:11).
Love children enough to allow them to leave the
nest. We are given children to train them in the way they should go and when
ready, let them go. We need to make sure they have wings and then let them use
them. We as parents are supposed to do that. The Bible tells us that leaving
father and mother and cleaving to mates is natural progression, you did that
didn’t you? (Genesis 2, Matthew 19, Ephesians 5). Not promoting or allowing children to form a
new family will cause many problems. Children must always honor parents but
more allegiance must be given to mates than to parents. Love your children !
Prayer
Requests: ____________________________________________________________