Biblical Parenting

 

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

 

Parenting is a huge responsibility. One of my regrets in life is that I did not come to know the Lord until my children were in their preteens. They were taught manners and respect, and lots of really good things. But, they were not taught the scriptures or the power of God’s word until they were a little older. I don’t have any idea how much difference this would have made in their lives because I can see that God has graciously provided that teaching for them, but I do wonder if they would have been spared some tough lessons and given more blessings. (I do know that God is sovereign over all of these details of my life!)

As I have spent more and more time around young Christian families, including my own daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter, I have seen the difference in parents who teach children from a Biblical worldview. It seems to be their goal to instill in their children more than just the principles of godly living. They teach the principles using Biblical language. This adds to understanding for their children.

Our granddaughter, still less than three years old, clearly understands the concept of disobedience. She also knows the word. If she disobeys her parents they stop her in the act and ask, “Did Mommy [or Daddy] tell you not to do that?” Generally she nods with a look of conviction. “Are you obeying me when you do that?” Usually a contrite, but sometimes defiant, “no.” “You must obey me.” Some appropriate form of punishment usually follows.

This scenario is not new but last night I watched a whole different scenario of biblical words. Our granddaughter was given a ride by our 6-year-old neighbor in his battery-powered car. As she was climbing out of the car she said, “Tank you Scottie, that was wery nice of you.” The adults on the porch were flabbergasted. It’s just so unusual to hear such a young child express her thanks like that. Then we saw why.

As she came onto the porch her Mom scooped her into her arms and said, “I am so proud of you. You were so kind and polite!” The Bible uses the word “kind” 66 times (ESV) but we rarely hear it used in everyday conversations. We asked our daughter, the Mom, about this and she said, “I don’t want a ‘nice’ kid, I want my kid to be kind.”

According to the Bible this is good. Look at what it says about being kind. Proverbs 11:17, “A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself” and Psalm 145:17, “The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.” (The word “nice” is not used in the NIV, ESV, or NAS translations of the Bible.)

So, if we teach our children to be kind it’s a benefit for them and makes them reflect more of God’s character.

If we actually use the words of the scripture to teach our children how to live and behave they will know what those words mean when they get to an age when they can read and study God’s word for themselves. That, in and of itself, is an advantage to any child.

SO, I taught my children to be nice when I could have taught them to be kind. I taught them to wait when I could have them to be patient. I told them I wanted them to be happy when it would be better for them to know the joy of the Lord. We worked hard to instill in them a hunger for knowledge. How I wish I had started their desire for True wisdom a little sooner.

Though I regret not starting to teach Biblical principles and language to my children sooner and they certainly did not have the advantage of parents who understood the concept of raising children who would obey God’s Word, God has proven Himself faithful (just as His Word promises). He has restored the years the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25) by bringing several godly families into the lives of our daughter and son-in-law. They have not just seen the demonstration of teaching children biblical principles but have had the privilege of seeing these children grow up into young people who love and obey the Lord.

What does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good? Deuteronomy 10:12-13

As Christian parents, when we teach and discipline based on Biblical principles and language, we can say with confidence to our children, “It’s for your own good!”