Raising Kids God's Way

HOW PARENTS CAN RAISE THEIR KIDS GOD'S WAY
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(08, October, 2010)
00011393How Parents Can Raise Their Kids God's Way
Abstract
Parents and those having the desire of being parents strive and dream of having kids that are obedient, respectful, trustworthy, God fearing, honest and having accountability for their own moral deeds. Parents also expect their kids to a stronger view of themselves and that of others among other virtues. This notion though can be stimulated from other quota, Ephesians 6:1-4 is strongly attributed to the idea of raising kids in the path of the Lord, “… honor your father and mother…that you may live long in the land. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger but bring them up in the discipline and instructions of the Lord”
Therefore, this paper looks forward in bringing to light how kids can be brought up in the Lord’s way and the benefits that accrue when parents bring up their kids in God’s way.
Introduction
After God created the first man Adam, he thought it is not wise for him to be lonely and decided to make a helper, a wife – Eve for him. In Genesis 1:28, “… God blessed them, and said unto them, be fruitful and multiply.” This obviously follows that the Lord did not want his creation to be stagnant. Following that, man was given the responsibility of taking care of all things on the earth. Under this accord, it is also stipulated that children are supposed to be taken care of, and brought up following God’s instructions. This is because according to the Bible, children are supposed to obey and honor their parents; this is the only commandment with a promise attached, (Malkmus, 2010).
According to Kathi & Simonds (1995), kids are the greatest challenge as well as a greatest mission for parents, teachers as well as all those who interact with them at whatever stage of their development and growth. Having the knowledge of two distinct issues that surrounds human nature, which are the worldly and Godly things, there is need for parents to choose which way to raise their kids. Humans especially parents remain confused on what to do so that they counter the evil forces that challenge parents as well as their kids.
Research has shown that a larger proportion of parents have traditionally relied on other institutions or persons such as schools (teachers), religion (spiritual leaders) and even other organizations (child day cares) to instill virtues and convey values to their children. However, for this to be reinstated well, it is advisable that parents effect these (God’s instructions) guidelines to their children, as it is more effective and successful. Majority of parents assume that their kids will follow foot by foot to all those things that are necessary for them to be successful in life. This notion has been shown to yield no or very minimal results, since most kids do not meet their parents expectation. This follows the saying articulating that, those who are not taught by their parents, are taught by the world as noted by Hudson (1995).
Parents thus need to take action and raise their kids as instructed by the Lord. There are seven very significant steps that parents can follow to raise their kids as instructed by God. They include, purpose, planning, love, instruction, authority, motivation and consistency at last.
According to Fairchild (2010), parenting at this era is very challenging. Today’s children are faced with overall absence of good examples from God as well as moral ways of live; since, the current society is striving for “freedom from religion instead of freedom of religion”.
There are a myriad of advantages or benefits for raising kids as instructed by God. They include; respectful, trustworthy, honest kids, who can use wisdom to shun evil, serve God faithfully to mention but just a few. Similarly, while parents strive to accomplish that, there are many challenges that underlie ahead, which they have to overcome. More so, those brought forth by critics of this idea of bring up kids (Tripp, 1995).
Proverbs 22:6, “Train a child up in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it”. This coupled with the initial statement that God granted man the responsibility of taking care of all living things on earth, all of us are left with no choice but to take responsibility of bringing up kids as per the scripture (Hudson, 1995).
Problem Statement
At the moment, two issues have left parents confused; raising kids in God’s way or the according to the way of the world. The quest of parents, teachers and ultimately the entire society to have people who are respectful, honest, trustworthy, kind, generous, morally stronger view of themselves and others, leaves parents and the entire society with the responsibility of raising children in the way of the Lord.
Purpose of the study
The research aims at finding out how parents can raise their kids in God’s way. Similarly, the study looks forward to bring to light the benefits of bringing up children in a manner that the Lord instructed.
Objective of the study
This study attempts to exemplify principles that parents of today’s time might apply so as bring up their children in accordance with God instructions. The advantages of bringing up kids in Godly manner are also documented and brought to light.
Broad objective
The research aimed at finding out how parents can raise their kids as instructed by the Lord.
Specific Objective
To find out the steps, processes or principles of rising kids in God’s way.
To determine the benefits or advantages of raising kids in God’s way
Justification of the study
This research is of significance as it answers the question ‘how can parents bring up or raise their kids according to God’s instruction’. The benefits of raising kids as instructed by the Lord our God will be brought to light. This is very important as it will help parents as well as other members of the society to appreciate the fact that raising kids as instructed in the scripture is beneficial to the kids, the parents, the community and the entire nation.
Not carrying out this research will clearly depict that the entire process, principles or steps for parenting to bring up kids in the way God instructed mankind will not be made known to the masses. Similarly, the benefits will also not see the light of the day giving critics and skeptics room to demean the concept.
How to bring up kids in God’s way
To raise kids according to God’s instruction entails passing your faith and believes to them as well as instilling good and Godly moral to the kids. To do this successfully and effectively, there are seven steps that have been brought forth. All these seven steps are based on the scripture and includes; purpose, planning, love, instruction, authority, motivation and finally consistency (Ziglar, 1985).
Purpose
It is worth noting that, any kind of success is a product of clearly set goals in one’s mind; the main goal thus is bringing up kids in a Godly manner. Parents need to have very clear goals and work tirelessly and diligently to achieve the desired outcomes. What opt to be apparent is that, when one has kids, it is absolutely his/her responsibility to properly bring up their children. More often than not, most parents pursue other interests and transfer their responsibility of raising children to schools, baby sitters, the government, friends and relatives, day-care centers among others.
It is worth noting that no one apart from parents are to bring up their own children in the world, similarly, the Lord will hold parents accountable the way they bring up their kids. According to Titus 2:4, “Young women should be taught to love their children. Love requires caring for them” if this is not mastered, the Lord’s word will be blasphemed. As an example, when Eli’s son became corrupt, the Lord held Eli responsible and he was rebuked (1 Samuel 3:12-14).
Other goals include meeting children physical need, provision of education, recreation, entertainment, enjoyment as well as preparing them for future lives. In the book of 1Timothy 5:8, “If any does not provide for his own, and especially for his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever”.
Thus the main goal is nothing more than raising kids in a manner that they will serve their Lord in order for them to receive eternal life. In Genesis 16:19 Abraham commanded his child to follow and keep with the way of God and do justice and righteousness which opts to be the goal of each and every father that have faith in God. Additionally, when a man and a woman are joined through marriage, God expects nothing more other than Godly children (Malachi 2:5)
Planning
Each significant work need to have a plan. On this basis, even God planned His work, for instance, He had a plan for the tabernacle (Hebrew 8:5), our redemption before the beginning of the universe (1 Peter 1:18-20), the church was God’s plan (Ephesians 3:10-11). Similarly, as parents or those living and interacting with kids are required to plan and think about kids around them. parents receive merc...