Thoughts on Scripture and Child Training, Part III

 

I have no greater joy than to hear that

 my children are walking in the truth.

 3 John 1:4

    The last two weeks we have been looking at what the Bible has to say about child training.  I had a few more thoughts to share, if you will bear with me for one more week.  This topic is of vital importance and has eternal consequences. Furthermore, it reaches beyond just the parent, but to the extended family and to our church's ministry to our young people. We must look at children as Jesus looks at them, and realize that how we approach child training matters. 

    We talked briefly about the fact that each life is created with purpose by God.  Each child is entrusted to us for a short time. Our instruction manual is the Holy Bible, and there is, in fact, much said in Scripture about how we are to shepherd these precious hearts. The problem is that many parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and even children's ministry workers, are not familiar enough with the Bible to even know where to begin.  I have been woefully ignorant to much of this myself.  It is time to change that!  A quick concordance search will bring up a multitude of verses related to training a child.  That is one place to start. We can learn alongside of our children!  The important part is that we do not delay this training.  

    Fortunately, there are many wonderful Christian aids to helping us train our children in the reverence and love of Jesus.  We must always test these instructions of men for their Scriptural accuracy -- so there is no getting around learning the Bible for ourselves! However, I wanted to share a couple of resources that have helped me in my quest to lead my children in God's truth. These are simply ones that I have found helpful for myself, and I have no doubt that there are dozens more that could be added to this list.  Perhaps these will serve as a springboard for you and I both to keep uncovering the hows and whys of Biblical child training. 

    I have mentioned this before, but the New City Catechism app has been very helpful in teaching my children the essential doctrines of the faith. It only takes a few minutes a few times a week for kids to learn each one.  There are several different good catechisms out there (along with some that teach false doctrine -- so do your research!), and you may find a different one that you prefer. 

    Another resource is called, "Wise Words for Moms" by Ginger Hubbard.  This author has compiled a chart of common child training issues and challenges and listed Scriptures to guide our conversations with each child. One quick example is the issue of complaining.  Correcting our child's attitude of complaining could include pointing out that in Philippians we are instructed to "Do everything without complaining and arguing." Phil 2:14.  Then, we can encourage our children to exchange that attitude that is not constructive or Christlike for an attitude of continual thanksgiving as we are instructed in I Thessalonians.  "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of the Father concerning you." I Thes. 5:16-18  Ginger's chart gives additional verses and discussion points for each topic as well.  Honestly, I have found that these are important for me to apply to my own heart!

    Praying that we will be faithful to shepherd our children's hearts, continually pointing them to Jesus. Then, we must entrust our children's hearts to the one who Created them; the One Who has each of their days planned out from before the beginning of time.  He is faithful and loves our child more than we could ever begin to love! Our minds cannot comprehend this, but we trust in His plan for our little ones.  Our job is to be faithful to do the job He places in our hands. 

Soli Deo Gloria!

💓 Heather Sparks💓