Raising our children: Part 2
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Searching the Scriptures
David A. Bass, Rockford Church of Christ
Children are truly wonderful! But with the blessing of children comes a most serious responsibility.
As parents we need to look within our hearts and evaluate ourselves. How much time do we spend with our children on a daily basis? Have we taught our children the Bible, about God? Do we consistently take our children to Bible classes and to worship God?
Are we setting a Godly example for them by the way that we live? Do we really communicate with our children about the things that are on their mind? Do we take the time to know our children’s friends, where our children are after school and on weekends? Do we talk with and teach our children about sensitive subjects such as sexual relations, pornography, abortion, marriage, etc.? Are we teaching
our children respect, honesty, integrity, etc.? Do we discipline our children?
As parents, we only have one opportunity to “train” our children (Proverbs 22:6)!
Parents, we need to accept the responsibility of teaching and training our children. Too many want their children taught by babysitters, day care workers, the church, or others. Let’s accept our responsibility and teach our own children.
God has given us the Bible as a guidebook for raising our children; let’s begin to use it. This will be a priority if we want our children to go to heaven.
One of the things that our children desperately need is discipline. Solomon wrote, “Withhold
not correction from the child” (Proverbs 23:13). We read in Proverbs 13:24, “He that spareth his
rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes (many times, d.b.).”
Children need to be taught respect and obedience at an early age. If children are not taught to respect their parents, it is unlikely that they will respect teachers, police officers, God, or anyone else. Discipline should never be carried out because of anger, but done in love.
Children need a good example. One of the most difficult things as parents is to always remember that our children, even infants, are watching and listening. They observe our attitudes, moods, etc. Our example will either be good or bad! What kind of example are we setting for our children toward God? What about as citizens of this great country?
What kinds of habits are we teaching our children? Are we teaching them that things like smoking, drinking, drugs, cursing, etc. are good behavior? Remember, they are watching and listening.
Children also need to be given responsibility. We can begin when our children are very small by teaching them to make their bed, pick up their clothing, etc. Responsibility is learned! We need to teach our children to bear their own weight! The Bible says, “It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth” (Lamentations 3:27).
Children need to learn to stick with a job until it is completed and also about the importance of keeping one’s promise.
Parents, our children need a stable home life. They need to feel loved, wanted and respected.
Children need more than just things such as toys, clothes, food, cars, etc. They need a lot of love and attention. Let’s go to the Bible and “search the Scriptures!”
