19 August 2008
Train up a child (Part I)
Posted by admin under: Guides to Christian Living .
With so much going on, it is a challenge to raise spiritually sound and God fearing children in these last days. However, children are pliable, trainable and teachable. The best time to teach them is now, when they are still young. Psychology and other Behavioral Sciences support the Bible when it says “train up a child in the way he should go” Proverbs. 22:6.
- As parents, we should first of all know our religion in and out. Seek to understand it from scripture, rather than from what other religions are doing or not doing. We must not lean on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5) nor be wise in our own eyes (Proverbs 3:7). Children ask lots of questions. If we cannot defend our faith, neither will they be able to defend it, nor stand for Christ.
- Protect our faith and values. Be the first supporter, diplomat, ambassador and spokesman of our faith. As parents, we should not be ashamed of this gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16). We must proclaim the good news to all people, beginning with our own children. Speak of the mercies and goodness of the Lord (Psalms 34:1, Psalms 101:1).
- Do not speak against Christian values or any part of the beliefs which you don’t understand or which does not suit you (Malachi 3:16). The Bible tells what our reward will be if we break God’s commandments and teach others to do the same (St. Matthew 5:19-20).
We will continue in Part II with more suggestions on how to bring up children who believe. God instruct parents in Deuteronomy 6:6-7; “These words which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”
COGSOC Copy Rights © August/Ab 2008
