I wanna encourage parents with proverbs (and more verses too), and tell them that Bible proverbs are not promises ..though many parents take em as such and then some later on feel hurt by God like He has let em down. He hasn't.
I want to challenge parents to be on-fire for the Lord, not luke-warm (carnally, impure, worldly) or cold (like some dead fish in the freezer. sadly, too many have to their own hurt, and to others).
Thirty-one of em--Proverbs, I love reading the one for the day’s date. Not promises, but Proverbs are excellent principles from God ..that if wisely applied.. will give each of us a really good shot for the best outcome in life as we put the Lord first (See Matthew 6:33).. i.e., They are principles for child rearing too, and for winning em to Christ (I mean the Jesus of the Bible. Yeah, that One, the only way).
Sure had a lot of fun adventuring for some years in Europe and elsewhere with our boys. Parents should enjoy this season of life--I mean with lots of real joy and laughter in the home. God’s a perfect Father that’s not uber-strict or cold and stern. He’s always done a perfect job--did none of his kids go prodigal? Not sure personally, if I always wisely applied these verses, sure tried to--God knows. Daily, I wish I was more like Him. Yup, still. Got a long ways to go, but we can know, walk close, and grow in the Lord.
Individuals like kids still have a free will and some can later opt to drink, to use other substances. Some are mentally ill fairly young, or some go to war and see way too much. Can't help that. Some choose to make so many bad choices with close foolish friends etc that they’ve helped themselves on into madness. God hasn’t been away on a vacation-cruise, He knows and is in-charge. The Holy Spirit still loves us and does His very best to reach/save/help us.
We have our elections, we study best we can, we make our decisions, and God is in-charge so we show respect to those in delegated authority. God's hands are on the affairs of this world. The Bible says...
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6-8 esv
“The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” Proverbs 21:1
“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” Psalms 127:3-5
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalms 139:13-16
“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” Matthew 18:12-14
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
You can do this. Let the Lord lead you. Be encouraged parents--fear not! You don't have to do things perfectly to have a good outcome. Trust God to do his part. Does it look kinda bad right now. Focus your eyes on God, the perfect Father.
It ain't over until it's over. Have the right priorities.. in order. Balance pure love and smart discipline that really fits the situation for their benefit. God does--remember they really belong to Him. Here’s some memory verses for kids of all ages--they’ve helped me.
Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Memory verses for parents to meditate upon. You know the Bible uses Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic words, the first two for our term “discipline.” These are much more encompassing than we use in the English language, so it’s good to look at all of them.
i.e., Hebrew “muwcar” (originates from the term “yacar”). In the New Testament check out the meaning of the Greek word “paideía” regarding their education like in Ephesians.
Daily balance love and disciple, stay in agreement parents. Parents must win. Balance respectful courtesy and control (not that you’re over controlling). Remember, if you’re too disciplinarian or harsh in style, it will become easier for them to grow up and hate you (and your kind God). If you’re too lenient and never use wise discipline in raising em, then you could make it easier for them to grow up and hate you (and your God). Why do that? Do it His way instead. The Bible says...
Ephesians 6:4-6 “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Proverbs 1:8-9 Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
If you don't live a life of JOY in Jesus how will you long-term help your kids or anyone? Parents are commanded to wisely discipline children in love, yet certainly not to go overboard. Hey, they aren't your property.
Proverbs 13:24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
Proverbs 19:18 Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.
Proverbs 22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
Proverbs 23:13-14 (KJV) Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
Proverbs 29:17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
