Archive for The Gathering Place "The Gathering Place" is a web community where people can gather and make new friends, share ideas, enjoy a few laughs and learn about many interesting things together. It is a safe place where friends can correspond with each other about what they love.
If a person could bottle the perfect formula to answer this question and market it, he could, as the saying goes, "laugh all the way to the bank." We all know that there are no patents on rearing children, but God's word offers some much needed help. In Deuteronomy 6:7, we are taught that God's word is to be taught always, "...when thou sittest in thine house, when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." To teach children, Proverbs 22:6 and Ephesians 6:4 generally come to mind, but other scriptures need to be considered also.
Luke 2:52 should be considered for the ways our children should grow. In this verse we find that Christ grew in four areas, our children should and must do likewise. These areas are (1) wisdom (mentally); (2) stature (physically); (3) in favor with God (spiritually); and (4) in favor with men (socially). David and Karen Mains in their book, “Living, Loving, Leading”, made the point that we as parents must stop and ask ourselves, "Is my child growing in each of these areas and what more can I do?"
As a helpful guide to teaching children, I offer the following thoughts on Romans 12:11-18:
"Not slothful in business." In all your business dealings do you give your all or just enough to get by? Are you always fair in your dealings? The eyes and ears of our children like the eyes of the world are watching (v-11).
"Rejoicing in Hope..." Parents must live in ways that show that their hope is grounded in God and Christ. The child needs to know how we as parents accept the trials and tribulations that come. The child must know that life goes on, that the parent goes to God in prayer when there are no problems just as they do when there are problems (V-12).
"Distributing to the necessity of the saints, given to hospitality." If parents do not give to the Lord's work and train the child to give as he or she is prospered, how are they going to learn? If a child never sees guest (other than friends and family) in the home, even those new in the neighborhood, how will they learn to be hospitable and its true meaning (V-13)?
How do we as parents treat those who have wronged us? A child will never speak well of a playmate that has wronged him if the parents have hard feelings against a co-worker, a boss, a neighbor or worst of all a brother in Christ (V-14).
It is difficult for a child to be happy when he doesn't receive a gift similar to that which a friend received, but if we parents let our children see us happy for another's good fortune they will soon learn to be happy also. The same is true about teaching them to weep with a friend or letting another know that their shoulder is there to lean upon to share the load (V-15).
Parents must treat all people in like manner, don't show favorites because of financial status. Don't feel that you have all the answers. This verse could do so much to stop racism in our world. Be aware that your child regardless of how old he may be is both listening and watching (V-16).
Next is one, which really must be worked at, when we are wronged, human nature says, "get even" (wrong him back). We parents must do “good” and teach the child that "getting even" is putting himself on the enemy's level. Be honest in all your dealings and with all people great or small (V-17).
Live at peace with everyone as best you can, show your child how to live peaceable. Don't forget the child because the first time he sees or hears a parent, mom or dad, downgrading a family member or neighbor, any verbal lesson that has ever been learned, is lost (V-1.
These verses from Romans give a fuller meaning to Deuteronomy 6:7 in that they teach, that training is an around the clock and every activity responsibility. Being a parent is not an easy task, but using God's word as our guide, both we parents, and our children have a better chance of succeeding.
.