What does the cliche say? “The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world.” What we invest in our children today can help mold their tomorrow. Don’t underestimate the power of being a Godly parent.
If you were to ask the question, “Who are the most powerful people in the world?” the answers would vary. Some would say Big Tech, or maybe pharmaceutical companies or our President. That is how most people judge importance and power. But if you think about it, a more accurate answer is that the most powerful and influential people on earth are parents with the faith to raise their kids, and to direct their families in a way that is pleasing to God. That is powerful!
As parents, we are privileged to mold a life that will live forever. This life will be greatly affected by the kind of teaching that is received from the parent. What an awesome responsibility we have!
What is your vision for your family?
It’s easy to view academics as an end in itself, but no amount of education can guarantee success for our children. God’s vision for prosperity and success is found in Joshua 1:8.
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”(KJV)
We need to talk about God’s Word, meditate on it, and obey it. This should be our guide as we strive to teach and train our children! I want to share 3 keys to help us be successful in our homeschooling and parenting.
1: What does the Bible say about being a Godly parent?
As parents, we must make it a priority to spend time in God’s Word. As we focus on God and His Word, the teaching of His Word will be a natural outpouring of our thought life. We talk about what we are excited about, worried about, focused on, etc. So it only makes sense that if we want to give our kids a love for God and His Word, we have to make sure that He is first in our life and thoughts. Then it will be a natural thing all through the day to talk about what God is doing in your life.
Your kids will sense your love for God, and your desire to please Him in everything. It is said that faith is caught, not taught. If we want our kids to have a real relationship with the Lord, we need to make sure WE have one. We can’t force their hearts to love God, but we can give them a thirst for Him by our example. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink…BUT, you can salt his oats! What are you doing to give your kids a thirst for God?
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Make the Word of God the focus of everything you do, and build everything around it. Get your kids excited about reading God’s Word as soon as they start learning phonics. Gradually help them learn to develop the habit of daily reading their Bibles. Make a big deal out of the importance of this habit. We make sure they brush their teeth daily, bathe, and do their schoolwork. How much more important it is to see that they develop a spiritual habit that will have a positive impact on them for the rest of their lives! God has specifically promised to bless, prosper, and protect those who do.
2. How do you raise a godly child with character?
Since Godly character springs from a deep relationship with Jesus, it rests on the foundation of faith. As your child learns to read God’s Word, memorize, and obey it, he will then be able to grow in character.
Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes... in You and Your Kids
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The most important fruit we can nurture in our children is character. If our kids learn nothing but character alone, they will be better prepared for life than those who are taught pure academics, but no character.
TRUE EDUCATION SEEKS TO TRAIN NOT JUST THE MIND, BUT ALSO
THE HEART AND SOUL. THIS IS WHAT WE CALL CHARACTER TRAINING.
– Ray Ballman
Be sure and teach character regularly. Have a plan, and every morning after everyone has had their time in God’s Word, have a lesson on character. If things get crazy that day, and you don’t get to the academics, or only get some of them done, you will have accomplished what was most important. You can also teach character all through the day as you encourage kindness, diligence, initiative, etc.
3. How does prayer help me be a better parent?
One of the most important parts of the educational process of teaching and training our children is the prayer that goes on behind the scenes. Prayer is the most important part of raising our children because God can do what we can’t do! We need to saturate the lives of our children in prayer. I often tell parents that we need to work as though it all depends on us, but pray as though it all depends on God. We need to seek His wisdom in training our children, then use His Word to teach them, while praying the whole time that God will take that teaching of His Word, and work in their hearts!
Daily go to God in prayer, and ask Him for wisdom in your parenting and teaching. Then bring your child and his problems to Jesus in prayer. Ask God to do a mighty work in their hearts and lives. God invites us to come to Him in prayer, and we have His power available to us, but so often we fail to take advantage of it. If you haven’t already done so, may I encourage you to make a commitment to pray daily for your children? None of us can be perfect as parents, but we can all be praying parents!
Benefits of godly parenting
Remember, the most powerful people in the world are parents of faith. Why? Because of who we have on our side. Never forget or underestimate the influence God has given you as a parent, as you teach and train your children for Him. Keep His Word as your focus, character training as a top priority, and regularly claim His power in prayer! These are all important ways we are intentionally being a godly parent to our children.
I think often of the words spoken in Romans 8:28. It’s such a powerful reminder of God being the only ally we need in this powerful and important role we have as parents:
“If God is for us, who can be against us?”
The power of being a godly parent
Leaning in with God in His Word, having continual conversations through prayer, and instilling character into your children are all ways that we can stay lockstep with God as we raise these children He trusted with us. The seeds we sow today will be the harvest reaped tomorrow. The power you have being a godly parent is so much more than all of the billionaires and “important people”. Because you are raising godly kids for God’s Kingdom, and there is no more important job in the world.
(Written for and published in the CHAP magazine.)
