GODLY PARENTING
INTRODUCTION:
One is focused to ask why there is a high
level of crime in our society and the world today (2 Tim. 3:1-7). Where are the
parents? Do we understand God’s call on our lives as parents or
guidance to train our seeds or wards accordingly? God has called us to
perform the role of a parent, are we proud of what we are and what we have
impacted into the lives of our child(ren)? With the kind of trends in the
world today, we have a lot to do, and “unless the Lord builds the house, its
builders labor in vain (Psalm 127:1)
GODLY
PARENTING:
Parenting is the act of raising or
nurturing a child from infancy to adulthood. There are different types of
parenting but the only perfect model of parenting is that from God the Father
(John 3:16; Heb. 12:5-11), He blessed us to “be fruitful and multiply, fill the
earth and subdue it” (Gen. 1:28). Therefore, Godly Parenting is the act of
raising and nurturing a child in the way of the Lord from infancy to
adulthood.
PRINCIPLE
OF GODLY PARENTING:
The following are suggested to the parent(s) on
how to raise godly children that will impact positive change to their family,
Church, and society at large.
1. Develop a passionate relationship with
God, be born again (John 3: 3; 1Pet. 1:13-16)
To do this work of parenting effectively, you must
know the owner of the job, the creator who gave you the job as your Lord and
personal savior, believe and depend on Him totally to direct your path in the
duties of parenting.
2. Model Godliness (Eph. 5:1-2; 1
Tim.4:16)
Children often model (i.e. copy and perfect) the character
of their parents. They learn by what they see. What do you want your children
to learn? Watch your life and doctrine so closely so that you do not destroy
those children rather be the perfect example to them, be an imitator of God.
Our God is righteous, holy, faithful, merciful, compassionate, good, etc. So, do likewise to reflect God’s character.
3. Be prayerful (1Thess. 5:17, Acts 6:4)
Be intercessor, pray on their behalf call them by name
in your prayers, prophesier greatness into their future, pray for their now and
their future, for the known and unknown, commit them into the hands of the able
God who know the end from the beginning. Always remember no prayer is wasted
upon them. Wrap then with divine protection, “Be self-controlled and alert,
your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to
devour” (1 Peter 5:8-9). Therefore, we must fight him on our knees always.
4. Train your children in God's word
(Deut. 6:4-9, Josh. 1:9)
Parents especially women have a way of train the
children to do what they want them to do, so take this advantage to teach your
children the word of God. Study the Bible together, meditate, worship The word
of God is light and life. It gives wisdom to all who seek God. The quality
time we have in studying and teaching our children the word of God transforms
our lives to be better people. May your children have a quality Christian life to
be the light to this dark and dying world. Amen
Teach them godly and moral values such as greeting,
respect, humility, sense of responsibility, hard work, how to behave outside
the home, cooking, mother tongue, choice of friend, giving to God and people,
polite and non-aggressive, appreciating oneself and people, contentment,
modesty, the word of God, prayers and the like. Lead this young seed to Christ
as early as possible, tomorrow might be too late. Start now.
6. Know your children (Prov. 22:6; Eccl.
3:1-2, 11-14)
Study your child, they cannot be wiser than you,
experience count in so many things. Even if they are twin, they can never act
the same way, they can never be the same. Spend quality time with them, play
with them don’t be the lion and your household the wilds, where everyone is the
prey. Be available to study them, listen to what they have to say, don’t shout
them down because if you do, you are sending them to the wilds. Most parents
work and forget their family, all they do is lavish money on the family and
they forget to train the children in a godly way leaving them to the mercy of
the Nannies and relatives who care less about them, most of these children are
been molested and transformed into a monster over years. Therefore, as parents
her today, we plead with you under the mercy of God to have quality time with
your family. Most of our children do not need money but our availability and
affections. Find time out of your busy schedule to be available for your
children and to them better. It is when you are available that you can see the
good and bad in them and can make necessary corrections to their behaviors
before it's too late.
7. Discipline your children (Col. 3:21;
Prov. 13:24, 19:18)
Discipline
means training to act by rules. If God disciplines us as are
children (Heb. 12:5-11), we too should not hesitate to discipline our children
in love. If you hate your son, spare the rod (Prov. 13:24). The best comes out
when they are groomed for Christ. Our discipline must be balanced, don’t
embitter (provoke) your children (Col. 3:21) and at the same time don’t
tolerate their stupidity or foolishness. As parents when you want to discipline
your child, note the following:
a.
Don’t discipline
in anger, you might injure them badly, don’t beat and leave a scare on them
because of their offense.
b.
Discipline should
be equal to the sin committed or else it may result in rebellion
c.
Discipline should
be consistent: when you say you will beat make sure you do so or else the
children will take you for a ride, they will never take you seriously.
Communicate more rather than always flogging, this discourages them and makes them more rebellious.
d.
Discipline to
give hope, don’t be part of their death. Correct before it’s too late
8. Provide for your household (Matt.
24:45; Prov. 31:10-31; 1Tim. 5:8)
Part of our responsibilities as parents is to provide
for our household. Provide the basic and essential needs for your household such
as food, shelter, clothes, love, education, security from sexual abusers, wrong
peers, harms, group influence. etc. Win the heart of your family members so that
they will not go elsewhere for a solution. Be the friend of your children and
make your home a peaceful and loving place to be.
CONCLUSION:
No one went to school to be a parent, we
all leaned on the job and are still learning. Thus, seek the maker and He will
teach you to be godly parents who will raise godly men and women for society and the kingdom of God. May we not be found wanting in our duty as
parents. May God help us in Jesus' name, Amen! Therefore be the Best Parent your children could ever have!
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