Have you ever done a painting by numbers? Well, it's pretty hard to make a mistake. I wish parenting was that easy. Problem is, we each have to figure it out as we go along. Yes, I know there are books out there but most of them are pretty useless. Some of them are downright dangerous! I know of one that is absolutely trustworthy, but even it does not spell out every detail. I'm talking, of course about the Bible. It tells us to bring up our children in "the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Eph.6:4) and it tells us to instruct them in the word of God (Deut.6:6-9) and in His ways (Josh.4:21-23) and it teaches about discipline (Prov. 23:13). There is lots of instruction in the Bible but you and I must make everyday decisions regarding our children, and frankly, we're not always sure we're making the right ones. I mean, I don't really know when the right age is for a girl to get her ears pierced. I don't really know when the exact age is for a little make up. I know for certain that I would NEVER allow my son to wear an ear ring. But these are things you can only decide by principle and it's up to each parent to make that decision. The Dr. wants your child to get flu shots; you think they're dangerous. I'm not aware of the specific answer in the Bible. You do what you can with what you have.
Do you know that some of the greatest men in Biblical history were not particularly good fathers? Eli, priest of God, did not discipline his sons and they became idolaters. King David, one of the greatest examples in the Bible, it would seem did not properly nurture his children. There was rebellion and unspeakable sins as a result. You know the Bible records King David appealing for direction for whether he should go to war or flee, but I'm not aware if he ever asked specific questions regarding the upbringing of a particular child. I have known good pastors who have had rebellious children.
Over the years I have watched several families raise their children, each in a different style and each with the same results. Truth is, the most important thing that can make the greatest impression is for the child to see sincerity and consistancy in the parent. You're not going to be right in every decision and you certainly are not going to be a perfect parent no matter how many classes you take or how many books you read. You are not going to raise a perfect child either so you'd best know that from the beginning. The Bible says, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." (Colossians 3:17) and "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor.10:31)That includes parenting!
Of course we should teach them the word of God, and we should have a family Bible time, especially when they are little. Yes, we should make sure they are in church regularly and around Christian influences. We need to watch their associations as well and we should be aware of what they watch and to what they listen and so forth but I can tell you that when they get to be teenagers the foundation had better be built in because they're up against a society that is anti-Christ! I've known young people who got very rebellious but because the foundation was laid they eventually came back to the Lord.
I remember sitting with my kids and watching "Cops" on T.V. My wife did NOT like that but I felt like I could use that program as a tool to shape my kids. I think it paid off! Remember folks, we are IN the world and our kids are exposed to lots of things that we may not even know about so it's best to prepare them. I would never encourage a child to touch a hot stove. I would warn them in advance if a stove is hot and I would do all I can to keep them from getting burned but this I know, once they get burned they'll know I told them the truth.
In my house we never lied about Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy except in jest. If you ask any of my kids if their dad ever lied to them I know what they would say. Well, Suzanna might say "yes" but that's because she always puts her own spin on things. To her if you ever said "maybe", that's a promise, and probably a broken one!
No, there's no paint by numbers when it comes to child rearing, but there are guidlines. I've only mentioned a few here but just enough to say, do what you know to do, let God do the rest.
Of course we should teach them the word of God, and we should have a family Bible time, especially when they are little. Yes, we should make sure they are in church regularly and around Christian influences. We need to watch their associations as well and we should be aware of what they watch and to what they listen and so forth but I can tell you that when they get to be teenagers the foundation had better be built in because they're up against a society that is anti-Christ! I've known young people who got very rebellious but because the foundation was laid they eventually came back to the Lord.
I remember sitting with my kids and watching "Cops" on T.V. My wife did NOT like that but I felt like I could use that program as a tool to shape my kids. I think it paid off! Remember folks, we are IN the world and our kids are exposed to lots of things that we may not even know about so it's best to prepare them. I would never encourage a child to touch a hot stove. I would warn them in advance if a stove is hot and I would do all I can to keep them from getting burned but this I know, once they get burned they'll know I told them the truth.
In my house we never lied about Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy except in jest. If you ask any of my kids if their dad ever lied to them I know what they would say. Well, Suzanna might say "yes" but that's because she always puts her own spin on things. To her if you ever said "maybe", that's a promise, and probably a broken one!
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