I love the Bible.
Part of my ‘come to Jesus’ testimony is how many of the youth leaders in my church couldn’t answer my questions until one youth leader told me all the answers, I was looking for were in ‘this book’.
Yep, I devoured it and loved the process.
The Bible covers nearly every topic out there, money, marriage, leaders, what to do in conflict, and so many more.
But what does the Bible say about Parenting?
Sure, there are a few verses here and there about not exasperating our kids (Ephesians 6:2), and I think we all know the verse ‘spare the rod spoil the child’ (Proverbs 13:24), but if Jesus was to preach a Parenting sermon on the Mount, what would it say?
Hopefully, the Bible teachers won’t scorn me too much for sharing with your FOUR instead of three Important Parenting lessons from the Bible.
1. Be a good Role Model
I think we all know that the adage ‘do as I say, not as I do’ doesn’t work. Our kids are mimics. Even from the womb they are mimics. That is how they learn facial expressions and words. It is just how kids learn.
‘Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ ’- 1 Corinthians 11:1. Paul knew the best way to teach was to show young believers how they should act in a world that is not Christian.
Your kids are their own unique little beings, but they are going to follow your lead and often join in some of your interests because they want to spend time with you. I didn’t watch golf on the weekends and do a 14-page report on the sport because of My interest in golf.
But do know that your kids can learn just as much from your mistakes and humility as they do from your choices and interests. Because we all will mess up there is great power in a parent humbly asking for their child’s forgiveness. Your actions set the tone for how your kids will behave. They often can be little mirrors of our sins as well. They have things to teach us because God is working on everyone in the room.
Titus 2:1-10
2. Be Unified in Leadership
From website, 'What Christians want to know', says it perfectly. “When speaking about parenting, I have a friend who often says, “Any two-headed creature is a monster.” What he is talking about is parents who are not unified in their decisions or undermine the authority and leadership of the other parent. Without realizing it, parents who engage in this type of relationship with their children and with one another are tearing down their own authority (Matthew 12:25). They open the door for the children to play one parent against the other.”
Read more: https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/4-important-parenting-lessons-straight-from-the-bible/#ixzz7fSOr8pXS
3. Build a Personal relationship with your kids
God intended the family to be an example of God’s relationship with man (Genesis 1:27; 2:23, 24; Ephesians 5, 6; Colossians 3:16-25). We are built in His image to give Him glory and bring others to Him. As a family, we have a captive audience to point others to Him.
I think we’ve experienced of watched enough movies to say that parent wounds often cut us the deepest. I think this is true because we don’t get to choose our parents and we are creatures that deeply desire loving relationships.
So how do we do this with our kids?
-play with them: I know it sounds too easy, but in our busy schedules it is easy to say no and continue with the to-do list. If you stop and spend 10-15 minutes with your kids, you’ll discover what a large deposit is in your child’s heart.
-date your kids- individual time outside the home is where memories and special moments are made. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, and it’s not only for girls. Boys have to be taught how to treat a lady, and who better to teach them than their mother?
-mommy-time or Dad adventures: Find ways to make time for them in your home. Include them in the things you are doing. Yes, it might take longer, or the mess might be bigger, but the emotional investment of time is a gift that you don’t always have the opportunity to give again.
4. Intentionally Train your Kids:
We talked about being a role model up above, but not only that we need to train them in truth. Not only show them that studying the Bible is important but show them how. This can look different depending on your child’s age, and Pinterest is full of ideas and kits if you’re not sure where to start. But inserting biblical truth and growing your child’s biblical worldview are elements spoken about often in the Bible. Deuteronomy 6 is like the go-to parenting verse. Train up a child in the ways he should go and when he is old he should not depart from it. I think this point could be a year's worth of posts.
Other Resources:
How to Insert Biblical Truth in the Everyday Busy (valeriefentress.com)
23 Encouraging Bible Verses About Parenting - Helpful Scripture (biblestudytools.com)
50 Helpful Bible Verses About Parenting (Christian Parents) (biblereasons.com)
4 Important Parenting Lessons Straight From The Bible (whatchristianswanttoknow.com)