Another post on how to raise Godly children? Yes, I know, but since becoming a mom I am so passionate about this topic. I have seen first hand how quick kids are to pick up the slightest thing from us. You would not even realize they are paying attention but they really. I have learned so much from so many great people and would be selfish to keep that knowledge to myself. This post is on a phone discussion I had with an amazing couple and there was so much Godly wisdom dished out. I am so excited to share it with you.
Lessons in building Godly children and homes
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What are some important keys to raising Godly children?
Agreement that the kids will not come between the husband and wife.
Have one voice in the house by being one and having the same voice when it comes to decision making and how the kids are raised. There should be no room for confusion or division. For instance, if mom is disciplining a child for a wrong act, do not stop her from doing so. Simply support her then ask what the child did afterward. Another common one is when children ask mom for something, then go behind her back and ask dad for the same thing. Always ask your child “what did mom say” or “what did dad say”. This way, there is no confusion or room for pranks.
They also discussed the importance of both parents being born-again. Sometimes it is not about saying your children should be Godly, you need to live it as a lifestyle, so they can see it. You know a tree by its fruits. Like Matthew 7:16-20 which talks about recognizing them by their fruits. Bad trees will raise nothing but bad fruits, but a good tree will raise good fruits. Likewise, a lifestyle of Christ will bring Godly children.
1 Corinthians 11:1 says Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ. In the same way, your kids see and imitate you.
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How do you guard their hearts against the devices of the enemy?
As parents, we need to stay alert at all times. Children are weapons used by God to destroy the works of the devil so obviously, the devil wants to mess up their lives. We are all born into sin. But it is important to train up a child in the way they should go. Think of the heart of a man. It is not what enters a man that defiles him, but these things get activated when you water or hear the wrong things.
Children have the potential to sin and the more we let them feed on worldly things, the more problems we have. The devil has perfected the hidden sin syndrome. The more you feed them with sin, the more you prepare their hearts to be defiled. As parents, we need to guard them against anything that you suspect has a hidden sin or message. Sometimes even innocent things like cable need monitoring. Excess Cable takes away from family time, but also has some programs that have hidden messages and unnecessary things. Introduce them to Godly things like Donut man etc.
- Pray against hidden messages in some programs. As parents, we cannot be too busy to censor the things they watch.
- Train them so when they come across these things they can avoid them. By so doing, they will be able to stay confident against peer pressure and ungodly friends.
- Being able to affirm them is important. When they are affirmed at home, they would not get jealous outside when others get praised and they do not.
- Train them to know that their talents and gifts are to the glory of God and not for themselves. Let them learn to glorify God first.
- Pay attention to what they are sensitive to.
- Lay hands on them and speak the word of god upon their lives.
- Pay attention to their strengths and help build them up.
- Keep your promises: do not promise them something when you cannot or have no intention of fulfilling it.
- Involve them in decision making or activities.
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What is the most important lesson you want to pass on to them?
Definitely Jesus! Everything we do is to bring glory back to Jesus. If as parents you cannot pass Christ on to them, then you have not done your job as parents.
Pass on the knowledge of Christ. Let them know that without him they are nothing. Help them become vessels that he can use. By obeying Christ, the reward is greater.
Pray with them.
Make time out for your children. It is important to always pray for God to avoid letting you get any job that will keep you away from Christ and your family. As parents, we need to make sacrifices for our children.
Encourage them.
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How do you balance raising kids and having a Godly marriage?
Both are the same for us, we believe you are the same person in marriage and as parents. Godly parents in your Godly marriage in itself has to do with oneness.
In order to be one, Jesus must be alive in us.
We have God in us, we die to our flesh daily and in marriage. Marriage has never been separate from raising children. The way we walk together and in agreement, our kids are cooperating.
Raising kids is all part of marriage for us. If Christ is in us, it’s the same Christ we show to our children. Our children see how we love each other and love the Lord and they catch it. Our priority is to always please God.
We see the family unit as a ministry God has committed unto us. He teaches us to be great parents.
In our marriage, we are both watching our children and we allow God to be the center of our marriage. We also made our family understand that we are one and no-one can talk negatively about the other person to us.
In summary, we need to cultivate the hearts of our children so it’s good soil for God’s word.
Feel free to check out the following posts on how to raise Godly children:
Role of fathers in raising Godly children
How to balance Motherhood and business
Keys to raising Godly children
Godly parenting tips for moms and dads
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