Make your family Christ-centered
BY ARCHBISHOP J.O.AKINFENWA
The fruitful ministry and outstanding Christian
leadership of John and Charles Wesley are today
a fitting tribute to their mother, Susanah Wesley.
A vital factor in moulding the character and conduct of our children, as well as their future lives is our attitude. Attitude is contagious. Attitude will determine what becomes of our children in the future. We have to decide whether we want to mould the future of the children or we want to mar their lives right from the beginning.
Here are some tips on how to raise our children according to God’s word.
Lead Them To The Lord Early In Their Lives
You are only a caretaker of those children. They actually are God’s property; they come from Him and are only put in your care and trust. If you let your children know their Maker early enough, you will not be afraid of their future.
Titus 1:6 says, “. . . having faithfitl children not accused of riot (wild living) or unruly.”
That should be the testimony of every Christian home, for the Lord is not talking to ministers’ homes only. Faithful children, are children who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and who remain faithful to Him.
Wise women in the days of Christ’s earthly ministry brought their children to Him. They wanted their children to see, hear, converse with, encounter and know the Lord Jesus very closely. Jesus affirmed this as we read in Matthew 19:13-15.
Then little children were brought to Him that
He might put His hand on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said,
Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them; for such is the kingdom of heaven. And He laid His hands on them. . .
Once a child knows and accepts Jesus Christ as his or her personal Saviour and Lord, the job of rearing the child becomes easy.
Make Your Family Christ-Centered
A couple should be able to make their home Christcentered. They should observe regular and consistent family altar. They must make it a point of duty to attend church regularly and participate in spiritual activities. Praying and reading the Word of God daily with your children must be a priority exercise. The couple must always create a Godly atmosphere around their home.
Bring Your Children Up In The Nurture And Admonition Of The Lord
Ephesians 6:4 has this to say to parents whether believers or non-believers,
And you fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
The word “nurture” means the whole training and education of our children which involves the cultivation of mind and morals, commands and admonitions, reproof and punishment, correcting mistakes and curbing the passions as well as increase of virtue in the lives of the children.
The word “admonition” refers to counsel, exhortation and correction that must be passed down to the children from parents, which will ultimately shapen the future of such children. The parents are not to rear the child (or children) after their own notions of what is best for the child (or children), but after the nurture and admonition of the Lord. God’s Word is to be the guide for Christian parents in rearing their children.
Provide For The Needs Of Your Children
There is no dignity in bringing any child into the world and not being able to cater for such a child. It is disastrous for any parent to fail in this God-given role. Father and mother are to provide for all the needs of their children and are to do so with joy and excitement.
God’s Word says in I Timothy 5:8, But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever
The Bible regards the act of irresponsibility of either parent towards their children, as a terrible condition, worse than being an unbeliever. The unbeliever is condemned, is damned and is to suffer eternal doom in hell John 3:18-19). Likewise, parents who do not provide for their children are doomed. They shall suffer terrible consequences of their heinous crime of poor parenting and insensitivity. In fact, such parents will suffer here on earth and they shall also face God’s wrath.
Though, you are not required to providing all of your children’s ‘wants’, you are to do your utmost to provide all their basic ‘needs’. It is not God-like to give our children whatever they ‘want’.
Giving your children all what they ‘want’ could ultimately destroy such children. Parents must take time to explain to their children why certain demands that they make cannot in their own interests be granted.
Talk And Share With Your Children
Parents should learn to talk with their children and share thoughts and ideas with them as regularly as possible. Some parents are in the habit of neglecting their children because of work or other concerns. This is not wise.
Parents must make out time to call their children together jointly or separately for regular interactions. Create opportunities for your children to see you, to play with you, share jokes with you, ask you questions about whatever may be bothering them, and sometimes to express their minds to you on critical issues. Allow your children to get used to you. Let them see you around them both as parents and as dearest friends.
To do otherwise is to release these children into the hands of ‘wolves’. And once a child becomes ensnared and lured into bad company and influences, it often becomes very difficult to wrest them from such corrupting influences.
All correspondence to the editor, The Living Word, Ibadan Anglican Diocese, P. O. Box 3075 Mapo, Ibadan. For your prayer and counselling needs, visit or call these lines. Archbishop’s Palace, 3 Arigidi Street, Old Bodija Ibadan. Tel: 02- 8101400 or 8102298, GSM: 08039135983, 08060947795
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