What does the Bible say about raising children?
Children are such a beautiful gift, and unfortunately today we see more than ever that they are being seen as a burden. This mentality is so far from what God would ever want. It’s our job as Christians to really expose the beauty of parenting.
Though children do take a lot of time, resources, patience, and love they are so worth it! Having four of my own I have had to learn with time (I’m still learning) what truly God wants from me for my children. What I can share with others about children and our Judy. There are so many therapists and counselors that can help you know how to be a parent but truly the best way is to turn to God and His Word.
Today I wanted to touch up on some of the many responsibilities we have as Christian parents towards our children. In no specific order but all just as important.
Raising and loving your children
Like I said earlier, today more than ever it seems like children are seen as an inconvenience and a burden. As Christians we cannot fall into this category, we must learn to love children. We must be the ones who love the future generation.
We are the ones who are called to be the light and the difference in all things and yes, including loving children. This is coming from someone who never wanted to have children. When I came to Jesus many things changed, including the way I viewed children.
We see more and more the shouting need of love for children. Our children. Our God given job is to love them and lead them to their Creator. Children are so important and loved by Jesus that He even compared us to them and said that we must be like them to enter His Kingdom!
Quote – “Show your children God’s love by loving them and others as Christ loves you. Be quick to forgive, don’t hold a grudge, look for what’s best, and speak gently into areas of their lives that need growth.” Genny Monchamp
1. Psalm 127:3-5 “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!”
2. Psalm 113:9 “He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother. Praise the Lord!”
3. Luke 18:15-17 “Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
4. Titus 2:4 “These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children.”
Raise your children by teaching and guiding them.
Parenting has got to be the hardest and most rewarding job that God has ever given us. We often wonder and question if we’re doing it right. Did we miss anything? Is it too late to be the right parent for my child? Is my child learning? Am I even teaching all he needs?! Ahh, I get it!
Take heart, we have an amazing God who so graciously left us a guide on how to not only teach but guide our children. God is the perfect example of a parent, and yes I know we aren’t perfect but in His infinite wisdom He fills the crevices we miss. When we give our 100% and allow the Lord to mold us He gives us the wisdom we need to give our children the gift of being taught and led.
Quote – “Let no Christian parents fall into the delusion that Sunday School is intended to ease them of their personal duties. The first and most natural condition of things is for Christian parents to train up their own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon
5. Proverbs 22:6 “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.”
6. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 “These words I am commanding you today must be kept in mind, 7 and you must teach them to your children and speak of them as you sit in your house, as you walk along the road, as you lie down, and as you get up.”
7. Ephesians 6:1-4 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
8. 2 Timothy 3:15-16 “You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”
Disciplining your children
This is the part of parenting many don’t like, many disagree on, and many ignore. But we cannot ignore the fact that children need discipline. It looks different per child, but the fact remains that they need discipline.
For example, my oldest child’s form of discipline is by taking privileges away.
It doesn’t take much for her to understand her disobedience has consequences and will rarely commit the same offense. Then we have (shall remain nameless) another precious child of mine who requires a bit more than words to help them understand the consequences of disobedience.
A rebellious nature we all have that takes a bit more molding and love from us, the parents. We can’t be the push around parent. God didn’t make us to be bossed around by a child who has no idea what God’s Word says about raising them. We must rely on God, His Holy Spirit, and the Word to guide us to discipline our children. God loves us so much that even He disciplines those He loves. We as parents should do the same.
Quote – “God is interested in developing your character. At times He lets you proceed, but He will never let you go too far without discipline to bring you back. In your relationship with God, He may let you make a wrong decision. Then the Spirit of God causes you to recognize that it is not God’s will. He guides you back to the right path.” – Henry Blackaby
9. Hebrews 12:11 “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
10. Proverbs 29:15-17 “To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child. When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes, but the godly will live to see their downfall. Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad.”
11. Proverbs 12:1 “The one who loves discipline loves knowledge,
but the one who hates reproof is stupid.”
Setting an example for your children
Everything we do, matters. The way we confront a situation, the way we speak of others, the way we dress, the way we carry ourselves. Our children are watching every move. They are the ones that see us for who we truly are. Do you want to know one of the fastest ways for a child to rethink Christianity? A hypocrite Christian parent. We cannot say we love God and live a life that is unpleasant to Him, our children get to witness our walk with Jesus.
Contrary to popular belief; it’s not about what makes us happy, but what makes us holy that truly changes our life. It’s not easy, but it’s a blessing to be refined on our walk with Jesus and have our children witness repentance, sacrifice, forgiveness, and love. Just like Jesus. He set an example for us, He’s our Father and walks the talk. Setting an example is crucial for our children and we cannot fail to lean on Jesus! P.S. – just because you’re Christian, doesn’t mean your children are. Even more so, our example is needed.
Quote – You want to mess up the minds of your children? Here’s how – guaranteed! Rear them in a legalistic, tight context of external religion, where performance is more important than reality. Fake your faith. Sneak around and pretend your spirituality. Train your children to do the same. Embrace a long list of do’s and don’ts publicly but hypocritically practice them privately… yet never own up to the fact that its hypocrisy. Act one way but live another. And you can count on it – emotional and spiritual damage will occur. ~ Charles (Chuck) Swindoll
12. 1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (No matter how young if a parent you may be)
13. Titus 2:6-7 “Encourage young men to use good judgment. 7 Always set an example by doing good things. When you teach, be an example of moral purity and dignity.”
14. 1 Peter 2:16 “Live as free people, but don’t hide behind your freedom when you do evil. Instead, use your freedom to serve God.”
15. 1 Peter 2:12 “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
16. John 13:14-15 “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, so that you will do as I have done to you.”
17. Philippians 3:17 “Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.”
Providing for your children
The last thing I want to touch on is provision. When I say this, of course I mean financially but I also mean providing love, patience, a warm home, and all the above we just read together.
Providing is not buying everything a child wants. Providing isn’t choosing work over them to make money, (In some situations, it’s the only choice we have to provide the basics but for the average parent, this isn’t the case.) It’s not making sure they have all the things you didn’t get as a child.
Provide: To equip or supply someone with (something useful or necessary). That’s one of the definitions I found of the word provide and that’s what we ought to do. Equip our children with what’s necessary. The way God provides for us. He’s always the One we want to look to as an example of how we should provide or what we should provide for our children.
Quote – “The family should be a closely-knit group. The home should be a self-contained shelter of security; a kind of school where life’s basic lessons are taught; and a kind of church where God is honored; a place where wholesome recreation and simple pleasures are enjoyed.” ~ Billy Graham
18. Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
19. 1 Timothy 5:8 “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
20. 2 Corinthians 12:14 “Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.” (Paul was father like to Corinth)
21. Psalm 103:13 “As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
22. Galatians 6:10 “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (This includes our children)
Parenting, it’s hard
It’s not easy, I know this but everything I’ve share I strive for as a mother of 4. It’s the folding of the knee daily in the presence of God. It’s constantly whispering prayers for wisdom. We don’t have to do this alone friend. You are NOT alone in raising your children. May the Lord grant us wisdom to do all the above!
Quote – “Children are truly a blessing from God. Unfortunately, they don’t come with an instruction manual. But there’s no better place to find advice on parenting than the Word of God, which reveals a heavenly Father who loves us and calls us His children. It contains great examples of godly parents. It gives direct instructions on how to parent, and it is filled with many principles we can apply as we strive to be the best parents we can be.” – Adrian Rogers
This article blessed me so much, and I want to share with some of my local assembly parents. God bless you for yielding to the Lord.
I was so blessed, it is an inspiration and encouragement to pass on to my daughter’s and their families . Godly Principal’s and morals it’s good food for the Soul. Thank you so much 😊
Such a broad assemblage of divine wisdom! Covers positive values of childbearing and raising, the related costs of doing the training thing, controlling personal emotions (i.e. acting like an adult – like the Lord Jesus) and begin self-sacrificing and even warnings about missteps by either the parent or child but with some helps with recovery from such missteps.
As a mom, I love reading content that will help me to raise my child well. Thanks for sharing the wisdom and words of God. Great post!