BUILDING A FAMILY THAT HONORS GOD

REARING CHILDREN ACCORDING TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

Merely possessing a saw or a hammer does not make one a skilled carpenter. Likewise, simply having children does not make one a skilled parent. Knowingly or unknowingly, parents often bring up their children the way they themselves were brought up.  Thus, faulty parenting techniques are sometimes passed on  from one generation to the next.  An ancient Hebrew proverb says:  "Fathers are the ones that eat unripe grapes, but it is the teeth of the sons that get set on edge."  Yet, the Scriptures show that a person does not have to follow the course set out by his parents.  He can choose a different path, one influenced by Jehovah's statutes. -Ezekiel 18:2, 4, 17.  

Jehovah expects Christian parents to give their children proper guidance and care.  Paul wrote: "Certainly if anyone does not provide for those who are his own, and especially for those who are members of his household, he has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith."  (1 Timothy 5:8) What strong words! Fulfilling your role as a provider, which includes caring for your children's physical, spiritual, and emotional needs, is a godly person's privilege and responsibility.  The Bible furnishes  principles that can help parents build a happy environment for their children.   Consider some of these.  
Set a fine example.  Israelite parents were commanded:  "Your must inculcate [God's Words] in your son and speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up."  Parents were to teach  God's standards to their children.  But this injunction was prefaced by the statement:  "These words I am  commanding you today must prove to be on your heart."  (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7) Yes, parents cannot give what  they do not have.  God's laws must first be inscribed on the hearts of  your children. - Proverbs 20:7; compare Luke 6:40.  

Next time: BUILDING A FAMILY THAT HONORS GOD/Conclusion of  REARING CHILDREN ACCORDING TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

From the book: KNOWLEDGE That Leads to Everlasting Life