Guiding your Children

There have been many times in history when experts thought it best to let children develop "naturally." If simply left to their own choices, youngsters would grow into free and happy adults.

Few would subscribe to such a theory today. (Though, there is certainly a modified version of this floating around these days). And it's certainly not a biblical approach! God calls us to train and instruct our children from their earliest days. They need our guidance and want it with all their hearts. For, as they secretly know, out diligent help and correction is the deepest form of love we can offer.

~ Love your children through training and instructing.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

~ Help them accept parental guidance.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. (Colossians 3:20)

~ Help them learn initiative and accountability.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone
who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get
a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last
forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No,
I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to
others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

~ Help them choose good friends.

He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend. (Proverbs 22:11)

~ Help them learn to persevere.

As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have
heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought
about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. (James 5:11)

~ Remember: punishment may be required.

Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul. (Proverbs 29:17)

~ Be a merciful and forgiving parent – as God is!

As a father has compassion on his children,
       so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

for he knows how we are formed,
       he remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass,
       he flourishes like a flower of the field;

the wind blows over it and it is gone,
       and its place remembers it no more.

But from everlasting to everlasting
       the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
       and his righteousness with their children's children (Psalm 103:13-17)

adapted from Bible Promises to Treasure for Mom (compiled by Gary Wilde)

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