Guiding Children In God’s Way

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 “These word, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
 
     It’s fascinating to watch nature and to see how God has given animals the instincts they need to live.  As I watched the birds in the nest on our front porch, I saw them purposefully build the nest, patiently watch over the eggs, tenderly care for the baby birds after they hatched, diligently feed then and then train them to leave the nest and fly.  It is amazing.
     One day I was privileged to observe that training process.  The little birds, now fully feathered were on the edge of the nest, occasionally flapping their wings.  Sitting on another hanging plant nearby the parent called and chirped, encouraging the hesitant baby to begin flying.  Occasionally one parent would fly off to a nearby tree branch and then return, all the time chirping and calling, showing the little one what to do.  Then came the dramatic moment when the little bird took off.
     For a bird this process all takes place in a short period of time, but for us, training our children is a responsibility that lasts many years, but the rewards are great and eternal.  Training is not a onetime event, but an ongoing continual process of showing, correcting, explaining and reinforcing and disciplining .
“Line upon line,
 Precept upon precept, 
Here a little, there a little”
Isaiah 28:10  
     As their young minds are being formed, fill them with God’s Word and the wonders of God. Tell them the amazing stories in the Bible so they will learn to love and trust the Lord. Tell them God hates sin and that they are sinners, but that because of His great love for us, Jesus Christ came to pay the price for our sins on the cross. 
     Train them to pray and to confess their sins to God, and to ask God for forgiveness.  Remind them to praise His name and thank Him for all His blessings.  Train them to go to church, not as a “have to,” but as a “want to;” not as an option or choice but as a privilege—a day set aside for this purpose. 
     Discipline your children, not in frustration, but in consistency and firmness with love, teaching them self-control by example.
  
  “Chasten thy son while 
   there is hope, and let not 
      thy soul spare for his crying.”
Proverbs 19:18 
 
    “He who withholds correction 
  hates his son, But he who loves
    him disciplines him diligently.”
Proverbs 13:24 
 
     Then as children grow and move into different stages of life, there are always new situations in which they need to be trained.  Look for the successes and rewards of each stage and enjoy them.  This will encourage you to “press on.”
     Our desire as parents should be that God will become such an integral part of their lives, woven into the fabric of their minds and engrained in their hearts that they will seek to please the Lord in their daily walk.
       As I write all this, please be aware that I am acutely aware of and have many misgivings about my many failures and negligences when raising our own children.  I write these thing to show you what God’s Word says, to encourage you to persevere on and to tell you first hand that in spite of our failures as parents, God blesses if we strive to be faithful and obedient to His Word.
 
The Better Way: Teaching Right From Wrong Is Good, Consistent and Persistent Training In Love About God Is The Better Way
 
Here’s a link to help children learn Bible verses through song:
 
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About Gail Slawson

I am a 74 year old wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. After 54 years of marriage, my husband and I have been richly blessed with 4 wonderful children and their wonderful mates and 19 precious grandchildren, five of whom are already with the Lord and 5 great-grandchildren. My husband and I are busy retirees and reside in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where we serve the Lord Jesus Christ through Bible Studies, as mentors in our church and telling others about Him "as we go." Mark 16:15
This entry was posted in Guidance for mothers, Raising Children. Bookmark the permalink.

1 Response to Guiding Children In God’s Way

  1. Janet says:

    So,so very true…..God’s Word does not return void……

    Like

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