The goal of all Christian parents should be to raise godly children. Pastor Chip Ingram has some ideas on accomplishing that aim.
In a blog on his website, livingontheedge.com, Ingram begins with the advice of Ephesians 6:4 that reads Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
He says that means don’t overcorrect, be overly harsh and even overprotective.
He writes the word “exasperate” evokes a sense of frustration, hopelessness and anger.
Instead, the Bible tells fathers that they are to “bring up” their kids — which means to nurture and tenderly develop. And they’re to do this by providing “training and instruction” out of love.
Just as God disciplines us as His children, we’re to discipline our children by teaching them to obey God and His word. We’re to do this through consistent consequences and clear instructions in an atmosphere of love.
Next he says we need to parent with love and with limits. Ingram admits that task can be difficult when the child doesn’t appear to respond the way we would like.
He says to remember that farmers rarely reap a harvest in the same season that they sow. Similarly, it’s not until much later that parents reap a “harvest of righteousness and peace” with their kids.
Ingram says he knows how hard the job of parenting can be with so many competing ideas and philosophies in today’s world. It can be overwhelming and even paralyzing for many parents. But he says don’t lose hope. God has provided a blueprint for parenting found in His Word.