Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. – Ephesians 6:4
If you want to be a godly parent that honors the Lord with the way you raise your kids, it is not enough to put a roof over your children’s heads and call it a day. You must do all you can to put the Lord into your children’s hearts. With this in mind, Paul tells us, “...bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
The word “bring up” literally means “to rear” or “to nurture from childhood.” I don’t believe it is ever too late to try and give your children good direction, but it is best to start early. We are to “bring them up in the training of the Lord.”
Now, the word “training” refers not just to education (that is knowing what is right), but it refers to direction – to leading them to do what is right. It literally means “train up a child.” Again, this is why you start early.
Early on, it is so important that you give them gainful direction on how to respect other people, how to be courteous to other people, how to be kind to other people, how to get along with their brothers and sisters, how to obey their parents, and how to be responsible for their actions.
Start from day one and get the God of the Word into their hearts and get their hearts into the Word of God. There is a right way to live life. There is a right way to relate to children. There is a right way to think and act and it is found in God’s Word. From that Word, you can give your children gainful direction, and that is, by far, the best gift you can give them.
Dear Lord, thank you for making it so clear in Your Word how I can be a godly parent. Help me to give my kids the gift of gainful direction and godly guidance so that they grow in their relationship with you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Topics: Parenting
