Raising children to have a relationship with God
Bible Study Company: Podcast for Pewsitters
Shownotes Transcript
More Information What is relationship parenting? And what is the Scriptural basis for relationship parenting? Let’s discuss the styles of parenting today. One type of parenting is called modeling. In other words, we “model” good “Christian” behavior in front of our children and then expect them to model that behavior when they grow up. However, this can produce children who are “religious” thus “going through the motions” because it pleases you. The danger of this type of parenting is that the kids don’t “connect” with the religion and can abandon what we modeled either before or after they leave home. As adults, we know our relationship with Christ is vital for all aspects of our life. Wouldn’t that be the same for a child? We remember as children that we had fears, troubles in relationships and wanting to be heard. Let’s point them to Christ each and every day. We are raising “little sinners” like ourselves. We need help! Let’s turn to our bibles and read about two different generations. One followed God’s will into the promised land and the other abandoned even knowing God and they were in the land He gave them!
Compare all verses in context
This is what we hope will happen in our parenting: Proverbs 22:6 (New American Standard Bible) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
(Note the phrase; “train up” is dedicate. As in dedicating the temple of the Lord. We are to dedicate our children AS temples of the Lord’s dwelling. This is where teaching a relationship with God and obedience to His word in their daily lives is so critical. Teaching them the plans and purposes of God so they can line up with His purpose is dedicating them. (The goal of the Lord in the old and new testament is to “dwell with His people” such as the garden, the sanctuary in the wilderness, the temple, and then finally Jesus Christ) We show them how through modeling and they implement a relationship with Christ.
Judges 2:7 (New American Standard Bible) And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel.
This is what we do not want! Judges 2:10 (New American Standard Bible) And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.
This scene is playing itself out in the world today with the children we raised abandoning God. Did you notice what I shared? Abandoning God, not just church! How then do we model correct behavior that pleases God AND to teach our kids to have a relationship with Christ? Only through the help and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Our God wants to build His kingdom in those little hearts of our children. Let’s help Him do that!
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