Parenting the Biblical Way
It’s been said that, “It takes a village to raise a child.” But even with a “village,” you may still find yourself alone with the responsibility of teaching your child in the way he or she should go. Parenting, in any case, can be overwhelming.
Eventually, our children will make their own decisions. But studies show that parents are quite influential in how children turn out. While there are a lot of factors at play, there is no question that what we model as parents will have an impact on who our children become.
Parenting is challenging indeed, but it can be a rewarding experience, as we trust God’s guidance every step of the way. Let us look at three Scriptural principles that can help us along in our parenting:
Scroll down to read about parenting through a Biblical lens as prepared by Union Church of Manila, a Christian church in Makati.
1. We are also children.
We are all children of God (Galatians 3:26). That is why it’s essential to look up to Him, our Heavenly Father, on how to be a parent to our earthly children. He is a parent who gave of Himself fully to save His creation. As parents, we must be willing to give of ourselves for our children.
It also may be helpful as parents to remember to be a child again – a child of God. We can remember God’s unconditional love for us – even in our imperfect moments – through steadfast prayer and the study of His Word. This may help to take the pressure off to get everything right. We are simply children, too, who need help and guidance along the way.
2. Ordinary moments can be teaching moments.
Parenting can be a tiring job. Sometimes, we may feel like we are too busy or tired to “train our children up” in the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). But Deuteronomy 11:19 gives us the encouragement that you can be weaving teaching moments into your everyday lives: “Teach them [the things of God] to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” We don’t need to add additional teaching to our days. We simply need to weave in God’s truths as we live out our ordinary lives, and through that, God can do extraordinary things.
3. Provide hope and a sense of security to children, always.
The world can be a troublesome place, especially for our children. As parents, we can help them understand that aside from us, there is a living God that watches over them and protects them. What better way to give our children the assurance that everything is going to be okay amidst all the suffering in the world but through the Word of God itself?
If you have small children, read them Bible stories that talk about the power of the Lord that saves people from harm. Stories like Daniel and the lion’s den, or the disciples in the boat during a storm, are perfect accounts that you can use. For older children, stories still work too! But the very best thing you can offer is the warmth of your love that stems from the love of God Himself.
Parenting is not the easiest job in the world, but it can be very fulfilling when we trust God along the way and lean on His Truth and love in all we face.
Union Church of Manila, an international Christian church in Makati, can help you on your questions about parenting. If you need Prayer and Counseling, please email care@unionchurch.ph.
If you would like to register your children from age 2 years old through Grade 6 for Sunday School, please email children@unionchurch.ph. For parents of kids in Grades 7 through 12, please email youth@unionchurch.ph.
Eventually, our children will make their own decisions. But studies show that parents are quite influential in how children turn out. While there are a lot of factors at play, there is no question that what we model as parents will have an impact on who our children become.
Parenting is challenging indeed, but it can be a rewarding experience, as we trust God’s guidance every step of the way. Let us look at three Scriptural principles that can help us along in our parenting:
Scroll down to read about parenting through a Biblical lens as prepared by Union Church of Manila, a Christian church in Makati.
1. We are also children.
We are all children of God (Galatians 3:26). That is why it’s essential to look up to Him, our Heavenly Father, on how to be a parent to our earthly children. He is a parent who gave of Himself fully to save His creation. As parents, we must be willing to give of ourselves for our children.
It also may be helpful as parents to remember to be a child again – a child of God. We can remember God’s unconditional love for us – even in our imperfect moments – through steadfast prayer and the study of His Word. This may help to take the pressure off to get everything right. We are simply children, too, who need help and guidance along the way.
2. Ordinary moments can be teaching moments.
Parenting can be a tiring job. Sometimes, we may feel like we are too busy or tired to “train our children up” in the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). But Deuteronomy 11:19 gives us the encouragement that you can be weaving teaching moments into your everyday lives: “Teach them [the things of God] to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” We don’t need to add additional teaching to our days. We simply need to weave in God’s truths as we live out our ordinary lives, and through that, God can do extraordinary things.
3. Provide hope and a sense of security to children, always.
The world can be a troublesome place, especially for our children. As parents, we can help them understand that aside from us, there is a living God that watches over them and protects them. What better way to give our children the assurance that everything is going to be okay amidst all the suffering in the world but through the Word of God itself?
If you have small children, read them Bible stories that talk about the power of the Lord that saves people from harm. Stories like Daniel and the lion’s den, or the disciples in the boat during a storm, are perfect accounts that you can use. For older children, stories still work too! But the very best thing you can offer is the warmth of your love that stems from the love of God Himself.
Parenting is not the easiest job in the world, but it can be very fulfilling when we trust God along the way and lean on His Truth and love in all we face.
Union Church of Manila, an international Christian church in Makati, can help you on your questions about parenting. If you need Prayer and Counseling, please email care@unionchurch.ph.
If you would like to register your children from age 2 years old through Grade 6 for Sunday School, please email children@unionchurch.ph. For parents of kids in Grades 7 through 12, please email youth@unionchurch.ph.