On Parenting
A guest post by Chad Ramsey.
Christian parents have been given a tremendous responsibility.
Describing this great task, the apostle Paul wrote: “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). In a parallel statement, Paul wrote: “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged” (Colossians 3:21).
The emphasis on the father’s role in these passages does not negate the important role played by the mother. Neither does it diminish the influence of other caregivers, if a child does not have parents. Regardless of whether a child is raised by two godly parents, by one parent, or by others, the child requires proper attention and direction.
The point is simple: Rather than dealing with children in a way that either incites wrath or causes discouragement, parents must properly train and admonish their children.
But what does this mean?
Parenting with Effort.
Proper training demands focused, intentional effort.
One is naïve to think quality time can replace consistent attention. Sadly, many parents are so distracted by their jobs, hobbies, technological devices, social media platforms, and efforts to climb the ladder of society that they fail to provide properly for their children.
This does not necessarily mean they neglect their children physically. A parent may provide everything their child needs physically. Nevertheless, he or she may fail their child otherwise.
The Christian parent, however, seeks to train their children to heed the Lord’s admonitions. Their efforts are properly focused, for the Christian remembers our Lord’s warning:
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).
Parenting with Discipline.
Proper training also demands discipline.
The author of Hebrews acknowledged this truth when he compared the discipline received from earthly fathers with that which comes from God. He wrote:
“Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness” (Hebrews 12:9-10).
Your Children’s Faithfulness.
Does this mean the children raised in Christian environments and who receive proper training will always be faithful? Experience teaches us this is not the case, Proverbs 22:6 notwithstanding.
Because each person possesses genuine freedom, he or she can do as they wish (cf. Ezekiel 18:20). Some will grow stronger in the faith; some will depart from it. This does not mean the Christian parent is a failure.
Christian parents who have provided for their children both physically and spiritually, who have trained their children to believe and obey the Lord’s admonitions, who have provided appropriate discipline, who have modeled godliness, and who have loved the Lord above all else, have done what the Lord asks.
Nothing more is expected.
Parents, are you reading God’s Word with your children? Do you pray for your child daily? Do you attend worship and Bible study regularly? Do you demonstrate as much interest in spiritual matters as you do in physical ones?
Your children are watching and learning.
Chad Ramsey preaches for the Gloster Street Church of Christ in Tupelo, Mississippi. You can access their Bible classes and Chad’s sermons on Gloster Street’s YouTube page.
Chad was - and still is - “my preacher” from when I spent my high school and early college years at Gloster Street. I’m thankful to be able to share some of his writings with you.