Embrace Your Call To Be A Parent

Malachi 2:15 (GNB)Didn't God make you one body and spirit with her? What was his purpose in this? It was that you should have children who are truly God's people. So make sure that none of you breaks his promise to his wife.

Represent The Heavenly Father

Ephesians 3:14-15 (GNB)14 For this reason I fall on my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its true name.

Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Give Unconditional Love

Ephesians 3:17-19 (GNB)17 and I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts through faith. I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love, 18 so that you, together with all God's people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ's love. 19 Yes, may you come to know his love---although it can never be fully known---and so be completely filled with the very nature of God.

Become Your Child's "Role Model"

Proverbs 17:6 (MSG) Old people are distinguished by grandchildren; children take pride in their parents.

Proverbs 20:7 (MSG) God-loyal people, living honest lives, make it much easier for their children.

Train for Life

Proverbs 22:6 (GNB) Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life.

Proverbs 20:11 (GNB) Even children show what they are by what they do; you can tell if they are honest and good.

Understand Your Children

Psalm 127:3-53 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. 5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

Grow Up With Your Children

childhood (0 to 5) pre-school (6 to 12)

adolescence (12 to 18) young adults (18 to 21)

Discipline Without Destroying

Ephesians 6:4 (GNB)Parents, do not treat your children in such a way as to make them angry. Instead, raise them with Christian discipline and instruction.

Colossians 3:21 (MSG) Parents, don't come down too hard on your children or you'll crush their spirits.

Discipline Without Destroying

#1, Keep discipline positive

#2, Relationship then rules

#3, Boundaries that are understood

Discipline Without Destroying

#4, Increasing responsibility with autonomy

#5, Parents be in agreement

Parenting Styles:

AUTHORITARIAN AUTHORITATIVE PERMISSIVE UNINVOLVED

Require Obedience

Proverbs 13:24 (MSG) A refusal to correct is a refusal to love; love your children by disciplining them.

Proverbs 19:18 (MSG) Discipline your children while you still have the chance; indulging them destroys them.

Require Obedience

Proverbs 23:13-14 (GNB)13 Don't hesitate to discipline children. A good spanking won't kill them. 14 As a matter of fact, it may save their lives.

Proverbs 29:15 (GNB) Correction and discipline are good for children. If they have their own way, they will make their mothers ashamed of them.

Require Obedience

Proverbs 29:17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul.

Deal With Foolishness By Imparting Wisdom

Foolishness could mean being unwise, careless, lacking right judgment, gullible, being easily

influenced.

Deal With Foolishness By Imparting Wisdom

Proverbs 10:1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.

Proverbs 17:21 (GNB) There is nothing but sadness and sorrow for parents whose children do foolish things.

Proverbs 17:25 (GNB) Foolish children bring grief to their fathers and bitter regrets to their mothers.

Nurturing Children

The Instructions Of A Father

Genesis 18:19 (GNB)I have chosen him in order that he may command his sons and his descendants to obey me and to do what is right and just. If they do, I will do everything for him that I have promised."

Joshua 24:15 (GNB) If you are not willing to serve him, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your ancestors worshiped in Mesopotamia or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are now living. As for my family and me, we will serve the LORD."

Malachi 4:6 And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.

The Instructions Of A Father

Malachi 4:6 And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.

The Greenhouse - Create An Environment For All-Round Growth

Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Recognize Their Inclinations, Passions And Gifts

Psalm 139:14-1714 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. 17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!

Bring Out The Best In Them

Psalm 112:1-2 (GNB)1 Praise the LORD! Happy is the person who honors the LORD, who takes pleasure in obeying his commands. 2 The good man's children will be powerful in the land; his descendants will be blessed.

Allocate Time And Room For Conversation

Proverbs 31:1-2 (MSG)1 The words of King Lemuel, the strong advice his mother gave him: 2 "Oh, son of mine, what can you be thinking of! Child whom I bore! The son I dedicated to God!

Use Teachable Moments

Proverbs 25:11 (MSG) The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry,

Nurture Faith In Your Children

Deuteronomy 4:9-10 (GNB)9 Be on your guard! Make certain that you do not forget, as long as you live, what you have seen with your own eyes. Tell your children and your grandchildren 10 about the day you stood in the presence of the LORD your God at Mount Sinai, when he said to me, 'Assemble the people. I want them to hear what I have to say, so that they will learn to obey me as long as they live and so that they will teach their children to do the same.'

Nurture Faith In Your Children

Deuteronomy 6:5-8 (GNB) 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 Never forget these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Teach them to your children. Repeat them when you are at home and when you are away, when you are resting and when you are working. 8 Tie them on your arms and wear them on your foreheads as a reminder.

Teach Them Life-Skills

Proverbs 1:8-9 (GNB)8 My child, pay attention to what your father and mother tell you. 9 Their teaching will improve your character as a handsome turban or a necklace improves your appearance.

Teach Them About Sex, Purity And Marriage

Proverbs 6:20-24 (GNB)20 Son, do what your father tells you and never forget what your mother taught you. 21 Keep their words with you always, locked in your heart. 22 Their teaching will lead you when you travel, protect you at night, and advise you during the day. 23 Their instructions are a shining light; their correction can teach you how to live. 24 It can keep you away from bad women, from the seductive words of other men's wives.

Encourage, Inspire And Support Them Into Their Life's Call

Let Go! And Let God!

Leave A Spiritual Legacy

Isaiah 59:21 "As for Me," says the LORD, "this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants' descendants," says the LORD, "from this time and forevermore."