“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” – Ephesians 6:4 (Amplified Bible) “My dad is better than your dad!” Little boys often compare dads. They want to be proud of their dad, and, by proving dad is … [Read more...]
Family get-togethers
“…not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25 (NKJV) Will there ever be a better time to have family devotions? The Bible tells us not to forsake getting together and it is not always possible to go to church. When it is possible, of course, we should attend church. Church, however, can never substitute for family devotions. There is much value in setting a … [Read more...]
Kids and their phones!
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21 (NKJV) It seems that complaints of children using cell phones is growing. “They won’t put them down!” “You can’t carry on a conversation because they have their noses stuck in their cell phones!” “It’s all they want to do!” The comments go on and on. “I wish something would be done!” What can be done? First, let us recognize that cell phones are a tool. We may be putting the blame in the wrong place. We need … [Read more...]
Reputation affects relationships
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. – Proverbs 22:1 (NKJV) We seldom think about children having a reputation, but they certainly do! I clearly remember teachers talking about children during the years I taught in public school. “I heard you got ____ this year! Good luck! He is really hard to handle!” “________was always late for class! Those parents always complained about the teacher. They didn’t seem to do much to … [Read more...]
Children need to give
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 At Christmas time each year, thoughts turn to what we can give children to make them happy. Actually, one of the best things we can give a child is the understanding of the joy of giving. Children are often only recipients of gifts, but they need to learn that it is more blessed to give than to receive; otherwise, they will grow up thinking only of themselves. I learned the lesson of letting someone give, no matter how meager … [Read more...]
Thankfulness comes from appreciation
“We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.” – Psalm 75:1 (NKJV) It is very important to teach children to say “thank you”. It is even more important to teach them to mean it when it is said. How can we do that? One way is to help a child understand the effort put in to achieving a task that benefits the child. Study of nature also helps a child appreciate what God has done. When a child is raised by a “helicopter … [Read more...]
Do our children have any need to repent?
“Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right.” – Proverbs 20:11 (NKJV) An incident occurred when I taught kindergarten that still sticks in my mind. Mother’s Day was approaching and I had the children in a group talking about what they could do to show their mothers that the children loved them. As we were discussing what mothers do for us, one little boy looked at me with eyes flashing and said in a very deliberate chilling voice, “I hate my mother!” I … [Read more...]
Children influence others
“Jehoash was seven years old when he became king.” – 2 Kings 11:21 A public school teacher related to me that one of her students brought her a brochure that stated, “Have you noticed that the children from our faith are better behaved than the other students?” The teacher said that she began to notice that what it said was true. Even though the students had gained permission to not say the Pledge of Allegiance, in all other ways they were very obedient and had exemplary … [Read more...]
‘Where is Dad?’
“And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” – Ephesians 6:4 Although many years have passed since our children were young, in my mind I can still see and hear them run into the house excitedly yelling, “Where’s Dad?” At times they were excited to share something with him that they could count on him liking. At other times, they would come into the house with head down and in a low tone of voice say, “Where’s … [Read more...]
The pleasure of ‘please’
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” Philippians 2:3 Saying “please” reflects an attitude of humility. Yes, it is easy to get in the habit of just saying it without ever thinking about why we are doing so. Even if it is done habitually, it still has value in influencing us subconsciously to make us aware that we are beholding to others for needs and wants. Children should be taught early in life to … [Read more...]
Praise Him!
“While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.” – Psalms 146:2 What we are told by society and what the Bible says often do not match. For years, teachers and parents have been told to praise children. The Bible tells us that we should praise God. A parent should be able to know when and how to praise. Children need to learn that gifts and abilities ultimately come from God, not self. There are some undesired outcomes associated with … [Read more...]
There is good fear, there is bad fear
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10 NKJV) Watching a group of children playing, one would never suspect that any of them had any fear; yet, many children do have a great many fears. Some of those fears are good since fear actually serves as protection for us. On the other hand, some fears cause harm to children. What are good fears? What are bad fears? What should parents do to guard against the bad and … [Read more...]