Children and Parents
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
(Ephesians 5:21-33)
Who wants children to obey their parents? What is special about this law? What does God promise to children who respect their parents? What must fathers not do to their children? What must fathers teach their children?
God has given parents the work of caring for their children. For this reason, children should obey their parents. But parents should not tell children to do something wrong, like lying or stealing. If this happens, children should ask God to help them. Then they should ask their parents if they really want them to do this wrong thing. If the parents say “Yes,” then God will understand that the children did not want to do it.
Also fathers should not make life hard for their children. They should try not to make them angry. Sometimes it is necessary to punish a child, but it is not good to beat a child. Try to find another way of punishing a child. For example, give them a job to do instead of going to play with their friends. Here are some important rules:
a. Punishment should never harm a child or make them afraid.
b. The purpose of punishment is to help the child know and do what is right. It should never be harder than is necessary to teach the child this.
c. Tell children clearly the rules they must keep. The rules should teach the child what is right and wrong, not just make life easier for the parents.
d. Tell the children what will happen if they break the rules. Give them the right punishment if they break a rule. Don’t give them an extra hard punishment one day just because you are angry.
e. After punishing them, always show the child that you still love them even though they did something wrong. This is very important.
f. Treat all your children, boys and girls, the same. Do not have a ‘favorite’.
Do you have a hard time at home? Then ask God to help you and your family get on better with each other. Pray also for children who are made to do wrong things like fighting and killing. Pray also for children who are made to earn money by having sex. These bad things happen in some countries.
God has given parents the work of caring for their children. For this reason, children should obey their parents. But parents should not tell children to do something wrong, like lying or stealing. If this happens, children should ask God to help them. Then they should ask their parents if they really want them to do this wrong thing. If the parents say “Yes,” then God will understand that the children did not want to do it.
Also fathers should not make life hard for their children. They should try not to make them angry. Sometimes it is necessary to punish a child, but it is not good to beat a child. Try to find another way of punishing a child. For example, give them a job to do instead of going to play with their friends. Here are some important rules:
a. Punishment should never harm a child or make them afraid.
b. The purpose of punishment is to help the child know and do what is right. It should never be harder than is necessary to teach the child this.
c. Tell children clearly the rules they must keep. The rules should teach the child what is right and wrong, not just make life easier for the parents.
d. Tell the children what will happen if they break the rules. Give them the right punishment if they break a rule. Don’t give them an extra hard punishment one day just because you are angry.
e. After punishing them, always show the child that you still love them even though they did something wrong. This is very important.
f. Treat all your children, boys and girls, the same. Do not have a ‘favorite’.
Do you have a hard time at home? Then ask God to help you and your family get on better with each other. Pray also for children who are made to do wrong things like fighting and killing. Pray also for children who are made to earn money by having sex. These bad things happen in some countries.
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