Page 014 - How Should We Train Our Children?
*Verses from AMP
"Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it." (Amp: Proverbs 22:6)
The hardest thing for a parent is knowing how to raise up their children. After all, they are gifts from God placed into our care (Psalms 127:3). Our desire for each of them should be that they love God and and become responsible, productive adults. The most prudent way for us to do this is to live godly lives before them.
Furthermore, we should never assume our children will drift into being proper human beings. We need a plan. The Bible does focus on some crucial matters. Obviously, no one can rear a child without giving them the proper love. This entails providing for all their needs, but we cannot afford to spoil them so they become self-indulgent and expect everyone else owes them something (2 Corinthians 12:14).
Fathers must learn to not be over barren and needlessly provoke their children to anger (Ephesians 6:4). Yet they must raise them with appropriate, instructive, discipline and counsel them in the ways of the Lord. This will help children learn responsibility and realize that there are always consequences to our actions.
Lastly, our children need to be inoculated from the negative influences of the world (Romans 12:2) so that their humanity remains wholesome and fit for the Lord's use. This requires creative ways to occupy our children by using outside resources. Here are some suggestions on the Web: TPRonline, egadideas, PointManGames, discoveryeducation, and kidshealth.org / Books: "Revolutionary Parenting" by George Barna / My Single Mom Life: Stories and Practical Lessons for Your Journey