BUILDING A FAMILY THAT HONORS GOD

Conclusion of  REARING CHILDREN ACCORDING TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

Provide assurance of your love.   At Jesus' baptism, Jehovah declared: "I have approved you." (Luke 3:22)  Jehovah thus acknowledged his Son, freely expressing approval of him and giving assurance of His love, Jesus later said to his Father: "You loved me before the founding of the world."  (John 17:24)  As godly parents, then, give your children verbal and physical expressions  of your love for them-and do this often. Always remember that "love builds up." -1  Corinthians 8:1. 

Discipline. The Bible stresses the importance of loving discipline.  (Proverbs 1:8) Parents who shirk their responsibility to guide their children today will almost certainly face heartbreaking consequences tomorrow. Yet, parents are  also cautioned against going to the other extreme.  "Your fathers," wrote Paul,  "do not be exasperating your children, so that they do not become downhearted."  (Colossians 3:21) Parents must avoid over-correcting their children or constantly harping on their shortcomings and criticizing their efforts.

Jehovah God, our heavenly Father, sets the example in providing discipline.  His correction is never extreme." "I shall have to chastise you to the proper degree," God told his people.  (Jeremiah 46:28)  Parents should imitate Jehovah is this regard. Discipline that exceeds reasonable limits or that goes beyond the intended purpose of correcting and teaching is exasperating.  

How can parent determine whether their discipline is effective?  They might ask themselves.  'What does  my discipline accomplish?"  It should teach.  Your child should understand why discipline is being administered.  Parents should also be concerned about the aftereffects of their correction.  True, almost all children will at first chafe at discipline.  (Hebrews 12:11)  But discipline should never make a child feel frightened or abandoned or leave him with the impression that he is inherently wicked.  Before correcting his people, Jehovah said:  "Do not be afraid, . . .for I am with you ." (Jeremiah 46:28) Yes, correction should be administered  in such a way that your child sensed that you are with him or her as loving, supporting parents. 

Next time: BUILDING A FAMILY THAT HONORS GOD/ACQUIRING "SKILLFUL DIRECTION"

From the book: KNOWLEDGE That Leads to Everlasting Life