Scriptural Advice For Raising Children

--by Inez Haythorn

Everywhere we look, there is an article or book about how to raise

children. An author will strongly give one opinion, and another writer will
just as strongly give another. Some support old fashioned values, others
think we need to loosen up. What are parents supposed to believe? We
have the desire to bring our children up well, wanting them to be godly,
responsible, productive, and successful adults. We want them to be a joy
to us, and not bring us a lifetime of grief. But how do we achieve that?
How do we get the wisdom needed for such an awesome responsibility?

Let's look to the Bible as our infallible source of advice. Why not get our
guidance from God, who created our children, and knows exactly what
they need? Here are a few of the many scriptural guidelines for raising
our children.

Our Duties as Parents

1. To love them (Titus 2:4)

2. To bring them to Christ (Matthew 19:13,14)
3. To train them up for God (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4)
4. To instruct them in God's word (Deuteronomy 4:9; 11:19; Isaiah
38:19)
5. To tell them of God's judgments (Joel 1:3)
6. To tell them of the miraculous works of God (Exodus 10:2; Psalms
78:4)
7. To command them to obey God (Deuteronomy 32:46; 1 Chronicles
28:9)
8. To bless them (Genesis 48:15; Hebrews 11:20)
9. To pity them (Psalms 103:13)
10. To provide for them (Job 42:15; 2 Corinthians 12:14; 1 Timothy
5:8)
11. To rule them (1 Timothy 3:4,12)
12. To correct them (Proverbs 13:24; 19:18; 23:13; 29:17; Hebrews
12:7)
13. Not to provoke them (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21)
14. Pray for them (Lamentations 2:19)

Results of Godly Parenting

1. They will not bring their parents shame. (Proverbs 29:15)
 2. They will not depart from Christian teaching when they are older.
(Proverbs 22:6)
3. They will have great peace. (Isaiah 54:13)
4. They will bring us joy. (Proverbs 15:20)
5. They will give us peace and delight to our soul. (Proverbs 29:17)
6. They will rise up and call us blessed. (Proverbs 31:28)
7. Keeping God's commands will help prolong their lives, bring them
prosperity, and win them favor and a good name in the sight of
God and man. (Proverbs 3:1,2,4)

Who would not want all these wonderful benefits for their children?
Yet, we are only human. How can we accomplish all this? Let's
remember these promises.
1. If you lack wisdom, ask God and He will give it to you. (James 1:5)
2. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
(Philippians 4:13)
3. Pray! The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.
(James 5:16)

In conclusion, we don't have to be confused and unstable in our child

rearing. By bringing up our children according to the Bible, we will all
enjoy the benefits, both now and eternally!
*Credits: Torrey's Topical Textbook, ChristiansUnite.com