Ephesians 6:4
[4] . . . but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Parents, you have such an incredible influence in your children’s lives. Particularly, in their early childhood you are practically deity. They think you can do ANYTHING!
“We had just finished tucking our five kids into bed when three-year-old Billy began to wail. Turns out, he had accidentally swallowed a penny and was sure he was going to die. Desperate to calm him, my husband palmed a penny that he had in his pocket and pretended to pull it from Billy’s ear. Billy was delighted. In a flash, he snatched it from my husband’s hand, swallowed it, and demanded, “Do it again!”
- www.rd.com
Parents have magic powers! But, in actuality, you really do have power! The power of influence. The way you lead your children will influence them physically, emotionally, relationally, and, most importantly, spiritually. Do NOT bring them down. Bring them UP!
PHYSICAL INFLUENCE:
Teach your children how to use their bodies. Teach them modesty. Teach them purity. Teach them NEVER to strike a woman.
EMOTIONAL INFLUENCE:
Teach your children they have value because they have been made in God’s image. Teach them that they are valued when they do right and when they do wrong. Teach them that failure is normal, and they can get back on their feet and learn how to succeed. Teach them how to honor you, by showing honor to them.
RELATIONAL:
Show your children how a man treats a woman by treating women properly yourself. Show them that a wife is to be loved and that a husband is to be respected. Show them how to treat their peers properly by treating your peers properly. Show then how to relate to the Government, by submitting to the Law of the Land, which is ultimately from God.
SPIRITUALLY:
Show your children the importance of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Show them by your lifestyle that you value belonging to the body of Christ. Demonstrate grace and forgiveness by being willing to confess your failures, as well as forgiving your child’s failures. Live such a godly lifestyle that your child will want to follow in your footsteps.
The essentials in these relationships involves us all submitting to God’s authority. That submission is expressed in what we do and how we do it. Children are to obey (act) and honor (attitude) our parents. Parents are to not bring down (discourage) our children, but bring them up!
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