Parenting

Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], Even when he is old he will not depart from it. — Proverb 22:6 AMP

In the book of 1 Samuel, reading the story of Eli and Samuel, it was sad to see that these men of God spent their lives serving God but their children did the complete opposite.

The Bible described Eli’s sons as “worthless men” (1 Samuel 2:12) and God said to Samuel: “I have warned him that judgment is coming upon his family forever, because his sons are blaspheming God and he hasn’t disciplined them.” 1 Samuel 3:23 (NLT)

Of the sons of Samuel, “When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel…Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice.” 1 Samuel 8:1,3 (ESV)

Eli and Samuel were not the only ones in the Bible with parenting skill problems. Jacob couldn’t control his 12 sons and King David had problems with his children too. And from experience, I can say it is a tricky job. Most of the time you feel more confident doing your professional job than parenting!

I guess you are thinking, if these men of God couldn’t get it right, what hope do I have? Remember the stories in the Bible are for us to learn from and it also gives us parenting tips too.

When a child is born, it feels like one has a whole lifetime to bring them up. However, before you know it the child is 18 years old, standing taller than you and is ready to navigate the world on their own terms.

As we know, we are born with a sinful nature. “I was brought forth in [a state of] wickedness; In sin my mother conceived me [and from my beginning I, too, was sinful].” Psalm 51:5 (AMP)

At an early age, the child starts to absorb the world around them and mimic what they see. How do we as adults help them navigate and fight their sinful nature?

1. Teach them godly ways from as early as you can and with every opportunity you get. —Deuteronomy 6:7 and 11:19
2. Discipline them. This word is very controversial these days and whether we like it or not children need discipline. “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline [correction administered with godly wisdom and lovingkindness] will remove it far from him.” Proverbs 22:15 (AMP)
3. Most importantly, pray for your children, God understands their makeup so much more than you do. Commit them back to Him and surrender to His guidance in bringing them up. The advantage is that you can pray for them whether they are 5 or 55.

The above steps are only a guide and are by no means exhaustive. There are no guarantees that following these or other guides will keep our children in faith or in the Lord. No matter where your child is regarding their walk with the Lord, keep praying and trust that God will answer and bring them home in His time.

Stay blessed,

LaraLex