The discussion about parenting has been mostly ignored in the 21st century. This is because record has shown that many parents in this century are not prepared to be parents. Due to this lack of preparation, parenting in a way becomes quite difficult. A lot of parents are so confused about what they would do to raise this wonderful gift called baby or babies God gave them.
Sadly, many parents that even thought they were prepared, were not. The only thought they took to marriage most of the times were how to consummate their marriage rite and spend time with the one they are married too. Funnily also, some that thought they were prepared only went into this sacred reality called marriage with fantasies and nothing real.
For these reasons, it becomes necessary for the subject of parenting to be looked into again. So, that the church would not just raise men and women that are ready for wedding and not parenting.
Ps 127:3
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.
The truth is children are heritages from the Lord as seen in the above bible passage. Therefore, every parent would give account of how they handled and trained the heritages God gave them. No child birthed by anyone is a mistake. The means may not be consistent with the way God has ordained, that still does not make the child a mistake.
Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Before a child is born, God has an intention in His heart and a destiny he has preordained in His divine counsel for the child. So, every one who would accurately raise a child would need to know the intentions and purposes of God for that child.
The expectations of God is for every child to come in the volume of the book written concerning him. The concept or idea so to say of parenting is not such that begins or end in time. The idea of parenting was birthed by God and can only be fulfilled in GOD.
Hebrews 10:7
Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God. ‘
Truths About Christian Parenting
1. GOD DESIRES GODLY OFFSPRINGS
“Has not the Lord made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.” Malachi 2:15
Parenting is a job, and a very important one at that. It is no longer news to us that what makes up what we see in the society is as a result of the decadence in various families and homes. Godliness has become scares because godly offspring are scares and little. Every parent must keep it at the back of their minds that God is being robbed of Godly offsprings when they don’t pay attention to raising their children in the way of the Lord.
2. TRAIN UP YOUR CHILD IN THE WAY THAT HE SHOULD GO
Prov 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it
Parenting entails training a child from childhood to adulthood. A child not well nurtured in the way of the Lord most likely becomes an adult that has little or no regards for God and His ways. And the responsibility of training has been given to parents by God. Train your child!
7 GOD’S EXPECTATIONS FOR PARENTS
The Lord God is very expectant when it comes to parents raising children in his ways. Below are what God is expecting from every parent.
- GOD EXPECTS THAT PARENTS KNOW GOD FOR THEMSELVES
Gen 17vs 1
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.
As a parent, you cannot give what you do not have. Our patriarch Abraham knows God for himself. Many Christian parents barely have any experience about God. God is calling all parents back to Himself, because as a parent you need to know the Lord else you won’t be able to show your children also.
- GOD EXPECTS THAT PARENTS LOVE AND TREAT THEIR CHILDREN RIGHT
Eph 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
Children are God’s gift to us. Therefore, we must love and cherish them. It is very necessary that they are brought up in the discipline and instructions of God. God has given them to you, treat them well.
- GOD EXPECTS THAT PARENTS PROVIDES FOR THEIR CHILDREN
1 Timothy 5:8.
Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
One of the things every responsible young man and woman should consider before venturing into having children is their ability to provide for their children’s basic needs. These needs entail spiritual needs, emotional needs, material needs, education etc. Any parent who couldn’t is worse than an unbeliever. As a parent, even though the responsibility might seem so great and overwhelming, please try your best for your children as God grants you grace.
- GOD EXPECTS PARENTS TO RAISE THEIR CHILDREN IN TRUTH
Prov. 12:19.
The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Parents must not lie to their children neither must they lie before them. Parents must not teach their children to lie. As a matter of fact, sin is a reproach to any family. As a parent, teach your children to say the truth always as you also live in truth.
- GOD EXPECTS PARENTS TO TEACH THEIR CHILDREN HIS WORDS
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you.
With all the decadence in the 21st century society, it is expedient for parents to pen out time to teach their children God’s words. As a parent, you must not be lazy with spending quality time with your children. They need you no matter their age. And at every juncture of their life they need God’s words. You must be there to guide them in the knowledge of God’s words.
- GOD EXPECTS PARENTS TO DISCIPLINE THEIR CHILDREN WHEN NECCESARY AND WITH LOVE
Proverbs 13:24
Those who spare the rod hate their children, but those who love them are diligent to discipline them.
One of the proofs that you love your children is that you discipline them when necessary. It is not cruelty to discipline a child. It is cruelty not to. Discipline is one of the path God has laid for parents to help mold their children into shape. For you to accurately raise your child well, you must discipline in love and wisdom.
- GOD EXPECTS PARENTS TO BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL TO THEIR CHILDREN
2 Timothy 1:5
I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
No parent is short of modelling something in their children’s life. Every parent must be a good role model to their children. God expects that parents are not the reason why children derails from his supreme purpose for them.
CONCLUSION
It is understandable that it may not be easy to raise children as a parent. That is why you must depend on the Holy Ghost for help and guidance. Learn to pray often for and with your children as well. God bless you.
OTHER RECOMMENDATION
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE