Some Tips on Biblical Parenting

 It doesn't matter how old or how experienced a parent you are.  It doesn't matter of you are in the difficult position of being a teenage parent, or the more comfortable position of being an economically established parent in your mid 30s.  If you are a parent you have something going for you.  Because you've been around longer and have made a few mistakes and experienced a few victories, you have wisdom about the way the world works that your child does not have, and cannot have on his or her own. Like the men of Issachar who knew what Israel was to do (1 Chronicles 12:32),  you know what it is your children ought to do.  Therefore, you have a responsiblity to transfer that knowledge to them.

There are a number of ways you can transfer that wisdom to them.  Here are a few of those ways:

YOU CAN AFFIRM THEM -  1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to encourage one another and lift each other up.  The bible isn't limiting this command to just those people we see in church.  If anything, it extends more importantly to those in our immediate family, and especially to those with whom we are charged with raising. Modern science has shown that affirmation (properly used) is a very powerful shaper of behavior.  In fact, it is far more powerful than punishment.

COMMUNICATE TO THEM WISDOM - Deuteronomy 6:6-7 teaches us to inform our children about God and his relationship with us.  If we don't communicate to them what we want them to know (whether it is about God or how to do the dishes) how can we expect them to act on what we teach them.

REPROVE THEM WHEN NECESSARY - A true father (parent) reproves his children if he loves them. Otherwise how will they know when they've made the wrong decision. However, this reproof must ALWAYS be preceded by the COMMUNICATION mentioned above.

DON'T PROVOKE THEM - Don't set unreasonable standards, and don't discipline them without good reason or fair consequences. Don't nag. Mete out the reproof wisely and with love, otherwise you will discourage them and produce negative results (Ephesians 6:4, and Colossians 3:21).

MAKE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS RIGHT - Be right with God, so you can be right with your children.  And when your children have strayed from the way you've set, find ways to reconcile with them, just as your Heavenly Father has done  with you (Colossians 1:19-20).