Rasing a Child According to God's Word

This is a question that I had often asked myself while pregnant. Being both a new mom and Christian, I began to wonder how I would raise my child. Being a trained therapist, I knew all about the different parenting styles and techniques, but no where in my training did I know how to raise a godly baby. At that time, I listened to sermons and did some research, something I have always enjoyed doing. It wasn't until about a few months ago when the answer came to me. It was so obvious that I had completely missed it; the Bible. God had already communicated to His people how we should raise our little ones. Everything that we need to know can be found in the Bible. The Bibles contains so many useful tips on parenting. Here, I will share some of the verses that have helped me thus far in raising my daughter.

• The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)

• Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)

• Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

• Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. (Psalm 127:4)

• A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother. (Proverbs 29:15)

• Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. (Exodus 12:20)

• Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. (Colossians 3:21)

• No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)

• Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)

• We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. (Psalm 78:4)

• Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. (Psalm 127:3)

All of these Bible verses resonate with me and have given me guidelines as to how to raise a godly daughter. One thing that I have learned is to look to God, for He is a loving and merciful God. If I fear anything in life, it is God, for I have read and seen with my own eyes what happens to individuals that don't fear Him. Even though she is still too young to understand, I explain to my little one how great God is and how He can take everything away in a heartbeat. It is important for her to know to obey God's Word above anything else. While pregnant, I was still trying to get through the Bible. Little did i know that I was already practicing Proverbs 29:15. My little one has been exposed to sermons and godly music since I found out I was pregnant at 4 1/2 weeks. Every day, I listened to reputable pastors and watched Christian cartoons, doing research to see which ones my baby would watch. That was the best thing that I could have ever done. Ever since she was born, she remembered the shows I watched while she was in my womb. Every time that Superbook theme song came on, she would respond. Today at almost 17 months, she still lights up and dances when she hears it. One of my favorite verses about raising children comes from Psalm 127:3. Children should be seen as a blessing, for not everyone can have children. Before becoming a mother, I didn't want children. Now that I'm older and in Christ, I thank God every day for the little blessing He has given to my husband and I. As far as I'm concerned, she is on loan to us, for God has entrusted us to raise her in a godly household. I light up every time she picks up her prayer book for me to read to her.

As Christian parents, it is important for us to use God's Word to ensure that our children stay on the righteous path. When I was younger, I knew of God, but didn't really know Him. I don't want my daughter growing up not knowing God like me. Instead, I want to teach her everything about God and His Word. I want her know how she should carry herself and to not be lead astray through peer pressure. As Dr. Voddie Baucham states in his book, "Family-Driven Faith: Doing What It Takes to Raise Sons and Daughters Who Walk with God," we cannot look to the Church to raise our children. It is our job as parents to teach our children about God. Feel lost? Open your Bible and read about what God says about raising children.

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