Daily devotion – parenting your child God’s way.
Ephesians 6: 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
You have heard the saying, a family that prayers together stays together. There seems to have been a seismic shift in parenting today. I make it a point to greet as many children each Sunday as I can. Sadly, many times I simply get no response whatsoever.
Parenting is a 24-hour, 7 day a week occupation with no holiday breaks! Children have been let off the leash and allowed to roam which includes having their own way most times. The other week I was asked a question from a young boy that was a very valid Bible question. But what impressed me most of all was the respect, tone and manners displayed by this young boy in his dialogue with me. Immediately on hearing this young saint speak I knew what sought of parents and parenting existed in his home.
Parents have turned into the alibi makers of their unruly children and this is was most noticeable in my years working with the Western Australian Police Force.
The guidelines on parenting are found throughout the Bible. Covering all matters on teaching them, being an example before them, what behaviours to expect from them, and also how to discipline them. The book of Proverbs is loaded with Biblical parenting guidelines. But all 66 books cover the subject as well.
It is never too late to begin to raise you son or your daughter according to God’s precious Word!
This week you can carry out a short litmus test with your own children by simply listening to them speak. And how they address others! It takes less than a few words to either validate or incriminate your parenting success or failures.
Finally, praying for your child is a must, but prayer alone without actions are empty words.