By Bro Blessed.
The holy bible was never silent on the critical need for child raising. Hence the countless principles and godly guide itemiszed in the bible on child raising.
These principles are more applicable now that the world has been flooded with moral decadence. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). A child is the testament of the parent’s impact and commitments in their life, but when grown becomes the expression and products of their decisions.
KJV/Bible
BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES ON CHILD TRAINING
Begin Early
Proverbs 22:6 describes the kind of training that start from infancy to adolescence, while training carries the connotation of narrowing or hedging in. Training a child means giving appropriate instruction according to the age of the child, and it begins in infancy.
Present a United Front
“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Parents should agree on the methods and practices they will use in raising their children. Children from same parents are different in lifestyle and genetic coding, so the agreed pattern should have room for considerable adjustment.
Love Your Child
As God loves us in our less-than-perfect human state, so our love for our children should not be contingent on perfect performance. Parents should proactively avoid the display of favoritism or loving one over others (1 John 3:1).
Have Your Emotions under Control When Instructing Children
“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty” (Proverbs 16:32). The way we respond to our children, teaches them how to deal with situations in their own lives.
Be Consistent
Consistency allows the child to develop trust and confidence in you and your instruction (Hebrews 13:8).
Never Underestimate the Importance of Attitude
1 Samuel 16:7; Forced compliance does not produce qualities of character any more than does permissiveness. Character is what we are on the inside the heart.
Give Your Child the Gift of Emotional Maturity
Life’s situations are best handled by clear thinking as opposed to emotional reactions. Model them into having stable and strong emotional character. This would in turn give them good sense of judgement (Proverbs 25:28).
Set Appropriate Boundaries
Children should fit in to the family structure and learn to contribute to it (1 Corinthians 11:3).
Set High Moral Standards
“Rejoice, O young man, in your youth… but know that for all these God will bring you into judgment” (Ecclesiastes 11:9). Don’t be afraid to raise the bar of acceptable behaviour and challenge your children to reach for it. Note that they can jump higher than most parents’ expectations!
Parental Priesthood
Every parent has a duty of priesthood. Isaiah 58:12, describes the expectation of God from every parent. The earlier you assume responsibility the better. (Genesis 18:19).
Mentorship
Be what you want your child to become. (Matthew 5:16). Parental example speaks louder than words. Realise that true character is formed by godly morality. (Deuteronomy 6:6,7).
Genuine Parental-Child Forgiveness and Acceptance
“Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child” meaning a child would always behave like a child. Depravity and adamic nature amplifies this foolishness, but when the child realises his mistakes, the parents should be keen to forgive (Luke 15:20).