“Train up a child in the way he should go…” Proverbs 22:6
The expertise for raising children is found in God’s Word, not in our emotions, feelings, etc., which can very well get in the way. There are some unsaved parents who give their children good structure for behavior, etc. But if you note, their methods parallel the ways of the Bible, rather than go against them.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 is a template for mentoring children. I would like to quote from an article written by John Goetsch:
“While the key component of this process (Deut. 6:6-9) is ‘these words’, the emphasis is on the constant and consistent declaration and display of God’s Word. As parents, we fall into the trap of compartmentalizing the Bible to a few hours at church each week, or perhaps a few minutes of ‘family altar’ in our homes each day. The rest of the time, our children are being spoiled “through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.’ (Colossians 2:8) Now, God is certainly in favor of the formal preaching and teaching of the Bible. Scripture would support that practice to the fullest. The Lord knows, however, that it is through the informal settings that Truth has its greatest impact on our children. When we can take an incident or circumstance in our child’s life, and apply biblical teaching to provide comfort, challenge, conviction or change, a lasting impression is made. Jesus Himself gives us this example over and over, as in the middle of a temptation or crisis, His response was “Have ye not known?” or “It is written”, or “Moses and the prophets…” He was always directing His followers’ hearts back to the Word of God. We will never be able to pass the Word of God on to our children in those critical moments if we, as parents, are not saturated ourselves, with Truth. We cannot teach what we ourselves have not learned.” –End Quote
It has been rightly observed that children learn the way they live, from one source or another. We must guard against the wrong sources through separation (true and accurate oversight). And we must supply the right sources for them that will be practical for their lives. At the top of that list, is that we as parents have learned to live and love the right ways ourselves. This is the best recommendation of the right ways for our children.
SHARING
