Family Matters

The home is the place where all of mankind’s strengths and weaknesses, hopes and fears, sinful and righteous acts, failing and succeeding, and just being human have the chance to take place. Who you are in your own home is who you really are. Your children will develop, for the most part, in their home environment. As Christians, it’s vital that we see our homes as training grounds, equipping camps that will send out soldiers from its walls into the world at large. Below are keys to creating a life school for our children:

1. Be trained by obedience. Obedience is a learned behavior and is the result of much practice and diligence. As parents, we must model obedient behavior before our children, and be faithful stewards over their obedience. The best time to start teaching obedience is at the first sign of rebellious tendencies in your child. Obedience teaching must be done persistently, faithfully, and firmly. (Heb. 5:8)
2. Teach while they are still moldable. Don’t wait until a child becomes set in his attitudes and rebellious ways to teach or train him. As soon as they are born, begin to speak the truths of God over them, to pray over them, and to train them in righteousness. Children are never too young to come to the truth of Christ. (Prov. 22:6)
3. Discipline in love. There are plenty of post-modern psychologists who insist physical punishment should not be used. Not only has their misguided advice helped to produce an undisciplined generation, but their counsel is in direct disagreement with the Word of God. Security comes through love, and the Bible says that if you love a child you will discipline him. With loving discipline, your children will experience greater levels of peace and security. (Prov. 13:24)
4. Don’t ever quit. The raising of children is never something we can consider finished or accomplished. Even after they are grown, the responsibility to pray and intercede for your children is yours. Blessings are yours to transfer, and generational heritages continue to be established long after children have moved out of your home. (2 Cor. 12:14b)