Parent's Page
Who is better at raising your child? You, or God?
The Bible tells us that if you or I want wisdom, all we have to do is
Ask God (James 1:5). But do parents, grandparents, guardians and those working with kids really do that? Truth is, when it comes to raising children day to day, it's easy to forget that God will always have a better idea than any of us will ever be. Here are some challenges that illustrate that point.
Jesus said we are to turn the other cheek when struck. (Matthew 5:38-40).
Many parents say: "If someone hits you, hit them back!"
The Bible teaches that people should not be prejudiced.
Many parents allow their children to be prejudiced. Some teach them to be so.
The Bible says children should wait to get married before having sex.
Many parents don't mind it if their children are sexually active before marriage. In fact many parents are sexually active before marriage. Yet, the Bible warns that sex before marriage is a sin and that if a person continues in it, it can lead to eternal damnation in the fires of hell. Ouch. That is very serious. However, a person can still be saved from this by repenting for the sin and abandoning it. But they must stop doing the sin. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
The Bible says Christians should not use profanity (Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 3:8).
But many parents use profanity in front of their children and even allow their children to use it. Nasty words create a nasty spirit in a person.
The Bible tells us that parents are also supposed to train their children in God's ways, starting when they are very young. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child when he is young, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
But many parents don't talk to their children or even tell them that they should believe in God and need to believe that Jesus is God's son who died on the cross to pay for their sins so they could go to heaven (John 3:16), and that the only way to get to heaven is to believe in Jesus (John 14:6).
Your child is looking for guidance at a time when he or she is in need of it most and when it will help shape his or her world and eternal destiny. Most parents provide guidance. But the Bible can't be beaten when it comes to providing the perfect guidance, because God is perfect. Read your Bible and learn what God wants to teach you about his plan for your family. Read the Bible with your child, even if it's just saying a verse over a meal. Pray for your child and your family and ask God to bless you and lead you in guiding and raising them. He will. Pray for strength to obey his directions. Remember, you are parent to your child. But God is parent to all of us.
And our heavenly father knows best.
Action steps:
Read the Bible with your child.
Set aside private time to read the Bible each day. Even a verse a day, (1 minute usually) works wonders.
Pray and ask God to be head of your household.
