A Parent's Responsibility

Posted by Gordon on August 30, 2009 at 12:19pm

I have noticed whether on Facebook, or any other Internet link that there is a striking lack of anything cultural or family orientated with a Christian influence. With this in mind I thought I would add the following.

My mother and father were Christians. They brought me up during some very difficult times but I remember their teachings. I have four brothers, three now deceased and two sisters, we all benefited from the teachings passed on to us and from us onto our own families.

Times are different now, there are different problems, different threats, but regardless of the situation, if a person is brought up with a firm Christian background they have the inlaid foundation to make it through whatever problems they are faced with, the way parents and grandparents lead their lives and approach the problems that life brings is an education for their children.

Train up your child in the way that he should go. Deut. 6: 1-7.

If parents and grandparents don’t train their children someone else will.

Remember, by the time a child reaches the age of five years old their personality is set.

Training your children is a constant and continuous thing. You must instruct them in the Bible. If you don’t the public school system and their environment will instruct them in the opposite of God’s Word. It is your responsibility to guide them in their development. Your most important responsibility is the training of your children to live a Godly life.

In a country where the 10 Commandments can not be displayed in a public building places your children at a terrible risk of their eternal future. It is your responsibility to not only instruct them verbally but through the way you live your life and in what comes out of your mouth. Do you ever dust off the family Bible and read it? Read it to your children? If not, why not? If you don’t train them who will, certainly not the schools, they are an enemy to your child’s upbringing.

The following are things every parent should strive for:

Give your children quality time. It is an investment in their future.
You should listen to your children carefully so they will in turn listen to you. No special education is necessary to give your child time. They deserve your undivided attention.

You should be able to admit when you are wrong. It will build you up in your child’s eyes and in your relationship with them.

You should love your child unconditionally. As the Apostle said, “love never fails.” Never degrade or put your child down. If you do they will remember it for the rest of their lives and you will regret it for the rest of yours.

You should discipline your children with a desire to protect them. It’s true a good well deserved spanking never hurt anybody, but I remember a switch always made a greater impression, the right way, then contact from a parents hand.

You should motivate your children to be all they can be, to always look their best, do their best and be at their best.

It is your responsibility as parents to lead your children to understand that their ultimate responsibility is to God. Teach them to talk to God. When they leave home that will be part of them.

It is your responsibility as parents to teach your children that their personal most important relationship is between them and Jesus Christ.

You must teach them to read the Word of God. In a world full of distractions from television and the Internet this is vital to their spiritual growth. They will not learn to lead a Godly life in a home with a closed Bible.

You must teach them that God has a plan for their lives, they aren’t like leaves blowing in the breeze. Teach them to go to Him to seek instruction, wisdom, commonsense, good judgment, understanding and ability.

You must teach them to obey God and leave the consequences to Him and to trust Him.

By doing these things it will show your love for them, they will be ready to meet the world prepared, they will never forget.

Lastly you must pray for your children and grandchildren constantly.

I hope in some way this will be a help in your and your children’s Christian life.

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Comment by Josie on August 31, 2009 at 10:52pm Great points, Gordon, I agree with you 100%. Most people draw their strength through God & family.

Of course there are people who are great wonderful Christian people & they have kids who are everything BUT what their parents are. That's a crying shame. All we can do is pray for them & just have faith they'll snap out of their ridiculous rebellion.