Some parents get things a little off when it comes to raising their children up in the Lord. A lot of parents think that it’s the churches job or even the school’s job to take care of their children (babysit them). How much time does the church or school have in order to influence or teach them and who in the church or school would you fully trust? While we as a church are supposed to help teach them the word of God through Sunday School, Youth Group, and Children’s Church, the ultimate responsibility lies with the parents to give them discipline and keep them under control.
Parents that feel someone else should take the responsibility for disciplining their children or keeping them in check are missing out on a lot of scripture that specifically says they are the ones that are responsible for their children. Scripture addresses these following questions. If you cannot take care of your own house, why would someone trust you to do things for them? Why would someone want you to discipline someone else’s children? Would they discipline them the same way the parents want them to be handled?
Proverbs 13: 24
Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
Proverbs 29:17
Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.
When parents do not discipline their children, they will not get good results. Wanting someone else to do that for them is not biblical unless they are orphans.
Ephesians 6:1-4
6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
The Word of God has so much to say about parenting, being a father and mother and how children are to treat their parents.
We as humans want to and tend to take the easy way out and expect someone else to go the extra mile. As for raising your children we should seek the Lord and train our children the best we can according to the Word of God.
If you are wanting alone time or want to do things that require you to be away from your children, no matter what the reason, it’s not someone else’s responsibility. It’s the parents’ responsibility to hire a babysitter. That’s what many teens rely on for some money.
Being a parent takes all your time and effort. Children deserve to have their parents’ attention and devotion. Time will pass and your days will be numbered with your children. God has entrusted you to bring them up. Your children were born to you, not someone else. Never stop praying for them and giving them your attention.
Your number one priority is your children because they are precious and are looking to spend time with you. Activities can wait. Leading certain things can wait. Your children shouldn’t have to wait.
Psalms 127:3
Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.
They are a gift and reward! Love your children enough to take care of them and do your very best to lead them.
1 Timothy 5: 3-8
3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. 8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Proverbs 22:6,15
6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.
Proverbs 23:13-14
13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.
14 Punish them with the rod and save them from death.
It’s very important we understand what the rod means. It Is that gentle guidance, discipline to teach or guide gently. It does not say to hurt or beat your children. When Scripture is talking about the rod it is talking about the shepherd’s staff which was used to guide the sheep where they needed to be.
Psalm 23:4
4 Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
When the rod is used in scripture it is talking about being led, guided and being taught, gently taught. It should be comfort and reassurance that we give our children. Seek the Lord and his word and he will shed light on being a parent.
We all have mentors and Christian brothers and sisters who have paved the way for us. Sometimes we need them to guide and teach us. Reach out and talk to others. Read and communicate with God in prayer! He wants to hear from you because you are his child!
Love Ya’ll and Have A Blessed Week!
Springfield Campus Pastor,
Kent Furch