In the beginning, God said to be fruitful and multiply, and parenting is truly a gift from God (Psalm 127:3). It is one of the most rewarding things in life, however, it can also be very challenging at times. The good news is that God has given us a parenting manual – the Bible. God has commanded us as people to raise our kids to know Him and follow Him (Deuteronomy 6). So press into God’s word, be intentional in growing your parenting skills, and be the parent that God designed and created you to be.
SCRIPTURES
Deuteronomy 6:1-9 - "These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you. Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."
Proverbs 22:6 - "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."
Ephesians 6:1-4 - "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise—so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."
Colossians 3:20-21 - "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged."
Proverbs 13:24 - "Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them."
Psalm 127:3 - "Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him."
Proverbs 29:15, 17 - "A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother. Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire."
Titus 2:7 - "In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness."
Proverbs 1:8-9 - "Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck."
Proverbs 23:13 - "Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die."
Exodus 20:12 - "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you."
Psalm 103:13 - "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;"