Third Biblical Truth: Parenting Means Letting Go
Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh .
How soon should you let go and how much? Its hard to say and truly does depend on your family and even which particular child within your family. One things for sure, your job description as a parent changes about as often as you figure it out. Its hard to let go sometimes, but reminding yourself that these kids dont belong to you and never did, may help. God has designed young adults to develop independence, which if were honest, can lead to some annoying behaviors. I dont think its a mistake, its Gods way of helping us let go. In my opinion, its like pregnancy. Towards the end, you worry less about how painful the birth will be because you just want the discomfort of pregnancy to be over. Any way you look at it, change can be painful, but a necessary part of growth.
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Good Traits Good Decisions
Gods wisdom gives us direction for not only recognizing our mistakes, but also correcting them. In parenting, it is no different. Gods way of life is the abundant life , and this life gives parents the opportunity to watch their children grow up making good decisions and avoiding decisions they may later regret. And learning how to live out these traits in our parenting gives our children a model for living out His abundant life.
Abraham To Isaac To Jacob To The Patriarchs
The book of Genesis extensively chronicles the family of Abraham through Joseph, his great-grandson. When we think about the four lessons mentioned above, we can see all four of them playing out in the family of Abraham. As I mentioned before though, it is easier to see the negative examples of these actions.
Role Model: The lying that Abraham did was copied by his son Isaac . The manipulation of Jacob was seen in Judah, his son .
Unified Leadership:Isaac and Rebekah did many things right in their parenting, but one incredibly wrong thing they did was to be divided on their loyalties to their children. Isaac loved Esau more than Jacob. Rebekah loved Jacob more than Esau . This caused competition in the lives of the two boys to the point that Jacob fled in fear of his life when he convinced his brother to surrender his birthright .
Personal Relationship: Isaac had a clear understanding of who God was based on everything that he learned from Abraham. We see Isaac trusting in the promises that God had given Abraham. In contrast, Jacob seemed to have a pretty bad relationship with his children. After Josephs brothers lied about Joseph being dead they feigned to comfort their father Jacob in Genesis 37:35. If they really desired to comfort their father they would have told him the truth and went and gotten Jacob back from the Midianites. They could have truly comforted their father if they chose to do so.
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Parents Are An Image Of God
In the Bible we can clearly see that all mankind was created to be an image of God. Children are first taught how to view God by the way they view their parents. Not only do they see us as the primary authority they also assume that we are all knowing.
But we can even be an image of God in the way that we live sacrificially for their benefit the emptying of ourselves we do on a daily basis. Children learn from how we parent their view of God will directly come from how they view their parents.
1. 1 Corinthians 11:7 A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God but woman is the glory of man.
2. Genesis 9:6 Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made the man in his own image
3. Genesis 1:26 Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.
5. Genesis 1:27 So God created mankind in his own image in his own image God created them he created them male and female.
6. Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
7. Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Bible Verses About Parenting Responsibilities
We are stewards, but just because we dont own our children, doesnt mean we dont have responsibility for their well-being. If its your job to care for something you dont own, then you are a manager or steward.
If your primary responsibility as a parent is to be a good steward of your children, then you need to treat the position with the reverence it is due. God has high standards for stewards and He will hold you accountable.
What does God expect from parents? Here are 3 main areas of responsibility for parents and the Bible verses to remember along with them. .
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Your Faith Will Be A Refuge For Your Children
âWhoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.â
When families face hardships, children look to their parents for reassurance, hope, and encouragement. If a father respects and submits to God in all things, his faith will be a source of comfort for his children and help them feel secure, regardless of what the storms of life bring against them.
Be Unified In Leadership
When speaking about parenting, I have a friend who often says, any two-headed creature is a monster. What he is talking about is parents who are not unified in their decisions, or undermine the authority and leadership of the other parent. Without realizing it, parents who engage in this type of relationship with their children and with one another are tearing down their own authority . They open the door for the children to play one parent against the other.
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The Bible Offers Us A Different Understanding Of The Condition Of The Heart
Part of the narrative of therapeutic parenting is reassuring children, following an incident, that they have a good heart, e.g. I know you have a good heart, and I think you know what to do to put things right.
This is where God sees things differently. Jeremiah 17:9 says The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure while Genesis 8 recounts God saying every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood.
This doesnt sound very encouraging! Where is the hope?
Our hope is that there is something better than having a good heart: having a pure heart. Jesus can restore our hearts and make us pure in Gods sight. Actually, this is infinitely more affirming than telling our children they have good hearts, because good only lasts until the next bad thing.
Rather than beating themselves up about their failure to conform to expectations, our children have the immeasurable, eternal hope that, through Jesus, God can make their hearts pure forever.
So what language can we use with our children? Instead of I know you have a good heart, we could say , God loves you so much nothing you do can change that, God can change our hearts, God can give you a pure heart, Sometimes I make bad decisions too but God still loves me, Shall we pray about this? and so on.
Parental Discipline In The Bible
Lets talk about disciplining your children. A part of loving our children well comes with discipline. If we want what is best for them their being conformed to the image of Christ we will discipline them. The Lord loves us and will discipline us : so we must discipline our children. This doesnt mean that we are to beat them, but discipline must sting a little.
The methods of discipline will evolve as our children grow and can vary according to situation and even our childrens temperament will play a factor. But discipline we must. For we are waging war against the flesh, and we must learn not to live according to it but according to the Word.
38. Proverbs 13:24 Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
39. Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
40. Proverbs 29:17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace they will bring you the delights you desire.
42. Proverbs 13:24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children.Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.
43. Proverbs 19:18 Discipline your son while there is hope, and do not desire his death.
44. Proverbs 23:13 Do not hold back discipline from the child, although you strike him with the rod, he will not die.
45. Proverbs 29:17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mindand will make your heart glad.
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Honor Your Father And Mother
âHonor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.â
The Israelites were commanded to honor their fathers and mothers as part of their covenant with God. Dishonoring their parents dishonored God. But this isnât just an ancient commandment for the Israelites. Itâs for us too.
Paul repeats this commandment to Christians in Ephesians 6:1â3:
âChildren, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. âHonor your father and motherâ , âthat it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.ââ
And in Colossians 3:20, Paul paraphrases this commandment and connects it to our relationship with God:
âChildren, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.â
What Are The 7 Traits Of Effective Parenting
The following are seven traits that are often present in the lives of parents who are raising kids who thrive in challenging situations. Parents may excel in some of these areas and fall short in others, but each trait can transform our parenting, filling our childrens hearts and minds with Gods truth and bringing wisdom into our homes.
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We Need To Consistently Correct/ Discipline Our Children
Hate is a strong word, but I can honestly say that I hate disciplining my children. At times it breaks my heart. At times its exhausting. Every time it would be much easier if I simply decided to let it slide and not correct them.
Handing out loving, but firm consistent discipline is hard work! But, it is what God has called us to do. And we already know all of the reasons why. Even if we arent seeing much fruit at the time, it will be more than worth it in the end.
Stay faithful, sweet friend. God sees you and will enable you to love, care for, and discipline your children in a way that honors Him, if you faithfully seek His grace, patience, and strength.
What Does Proverbs Say About Parenting?
If youre looking for some additional Bible verses about parenting responsibilities, please be sure to read the Proverbs. Its interesting to note that the majority of parenting verses in Proverbs actually have to do with disciplining, correcting, and guiding our children. Here are a few helpful vereses to think upon.
Christian Parents Raise Up Godly Generations
Our goal is to raise up the next generation to serve Christ. To teach them to wage war against the enemy, which is to stand for what the Bible proclaims is true and to defeat every vain argument against it. To teach them to love God and to obey Him.
23. Proverbs 1:8-9 Listen, my son, to your fathers instruction and do not forsake your mothers teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
24. Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth Fathers, do not exasperate your children instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
25. Psalm 22:31 They will come and proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unbornall that He has done.
26. Acts 20:27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.
28. Joel 1:3 Tell your sons about it, and let your sons tell their sons, and their sons the next generation.
29. Exodus 10:2 and that you may tell in the hearing of your son, and of your grandson, how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and how I performed My signs among them, that you may know that I am the Lord.
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What Do You Think
If you are a Christian parent, we would love to hear your views too. The bible is open to different interpretations, and its important to let everyone have their say on the matter. The hope is that at least this article can be a solid starting point for any Christians looking to the bible for parenting inspiration.
Blessed Are The Children Of The Righteous
âThe righteous lead blameless lives blessed are their children after them.â
Righteousness doesnât lead to wealth and prosperity. But it does change the way we respond to our circumstances and how others see us. A father who pursues righteousness wonât find himself in compromising positions or be an embarrassment to his children. Rather, heâll provide his children with a model worth following, and his righteousness will change the way others treat his family as well.
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Bible Verses About Parenting Roles 3 Big Truths
The biblical role of a parent is to be a good steward of the children God has placed into their care. Parents have the responsibility to care for the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of their children. The most important biblical duty of a parent is to teach their children about Jesus in action and word.Gods Word as revealed in the bible, helps us understand who we are, who God is, and the relationship between God and humanity. Scripture reveals eternal and often uncomfortable truths about our nature, our souls, and our history. It is beneficial to all relationships. As a parent, here are three big biblical truths that will benefit you in your role as a parent. Knowing these as you go forward in your parenting journey will help you manage your expectations and honor godly boundaries.
Bible Verses About Parenting That Will Help You Be Better
When you become a parent, you take on a role unlike any other. Even if youve been a babysitter, big sister, or fabulous fun Auntie -its not the same as being a parent. If you want to know, What does the bible say about parenting? youve come to the right place. Below we examine the bible verses about parenting and answer What does God expect from parents?
Before you had kids you probably didnt spend a whole lot of time looking at the bible through the lens of what it has to say to parents. Or maybe you became a parent before you became a Christian and youre wondering how your new faith should impact your role as a parent. Either way, well help you uncover what the Bible has to say about the roles and responsibilities of parents.Keep in mind, all of the verses that apply to parenting arent always obvious. Just because a verse doesnt say mothers or fathers doesnt mean it doesnt apply. As a parent, you take on many roles: leader, teacher, counselor, mentor, example, etc. When scripture speaks to teachers and leaders or anyone, there are applications for your parenting role, too.
For example, when Jesus says love one another as I have loved you, that command is for everyone in every role. As a parent, you are to love your children as Jesus loved you.
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God Is The Perfect Therapeutic Parent
Therapeutic parents understand that their childrens behaviour is affected by their traumatic early life experiences. They attempt to look past the immediate behaviour, and see instead the underlying issue that needs to be addressed.
Jesus was a master at this. In Matthew 9, we read that he looked straight at a paralysed man and said Your sins are forgiven. Jesus knew that the mans heart was more important than the fact he could not walk.
Even on the cross, as he was dying, Jesus was able to see past the behaviour of those who had cruelly nailed him to the cross, saying, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing .
The soldiers were blinded to any other course of action, being products of their upbringing, the Roman culture, their friends and experiences. Jesus knew it was their hearts that needed to change the behaviour would follow.
The Bible also reassures us that God knows how fragile we are, and deals with us gently. Look at these prophetic words about Jesus:
He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth.
Whilst this isnt direct Biblical advice for parents, we can learn a huge amount about parenting methods from how God parents us.