3 Things Every Parent Must Do To Raise Godly Children.

In the wake of murder, sex and language on television, parents are fighting what seems to be a losing battle for the minds of their children. Then along comes Jeff Franklin and Candice Cameron-Burre in the revival of the popular 90’s TV show, Full House.

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Kari and I sat down to watch Fuller House—yes it’s heavily handed in nostalgia—and it was refreshing. The language was very mild and there are mild suggestive themes. That being said, the show premise is based on family, through the tough times and everyday life, helping each other along. 

When it comes to parenting, I’m no expert by any means. There is one thing I know for sure, godly parents are needed now more than ever. There are scores of children growing up each day without strong parents. We live in a world where anything goes and don’t tell your child ‘no’. Yet what’s happening today is a generation of what’s in it for me people.

Leadership is more than just working with a team. It’s more than managing the work load on your to-do list at the office. Leadership begins in the home. If we fail in leading our families into fuller holiness, we will fail leading in our businesses, churches and every area of life.

It’s time for us as leaders to rise up and train our children in the way they should go. I want to walk you through 3 things every parent must do raise godly children.

1. Pray for them daily. Growing up, my parents prayed with me each night before bed time. This one act has stayed with me. I’ve never forgotten. In-fact I pray over our daughter every night as I lay her down to sleep.

When we pray for our children, we are teaching them that God comes first. There is no other relationship that is more important. If we want to see our children take up a right standing with God, prayer is the key. When we pray for our children we are…

• Inviting God into our daily decision making.
• Investing into their spiritual lives.
• Teaching them that we go to God for all our needs.

Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. — Charles (Chuck) Swindoll.

Teach your children to pray and they’ll rely on God for all their needs.

2. Encourage them daily. Children need all the encouragement they can get. It helps their mental development. It gives them the courage to keep pressing forward. It gives them the strength to know that you care.

It doesn’t matter how old they are, they need your praise and encouragement. That one simple act can shape and help them feel good about themselves. Some children are less confident than others and might need a boost in esteem. Encouragement allows children to try harder in the future to do better.

Proverbs 22:6; Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

3. Discipline when necessary. My parents used on my sisters and me an array of disciplinary actions. They were effective, and I learned huge lessons in life because of those actions.

I realize discipline is controversial by many. You’ll hear that it’s too harsh on a child and they’ll grow up thinking you’re angry. But I see it differently. When a child is disciplined, it’s a form of correction and training. It tells the child they are loved, but the action they are preforming cannot continue without consequences.

As a father, I have to be intentional about how my wife and I will raise our daughter. Here’s a good list to remember when disciplining.

• Never spank or discipline in anger. Take time to cool down and think through the consequences of your own actions.
• Use what hurts the most. I’m not talking about the paddle. If you’re child is attached to a blanket, take that privilege away. In other words use what’s most effective to get the desired outcome.
• Always explain to your child why you’re disciplining them.
• Always tell your child you love them before you hand down the judgement and after they’ve finished their timeout/discipline.
• When they make the right choice of picking up that toy after being in a timeout, praise them for obeying.

Proverbs [29:15]; The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

Our children want us to show support when they fail. Praise them when they do right. As leaders in our homes we are called to set the precedence for holiness for our children. How? By living a life of holiness and exemplifying Christ in our homes.

Take the time to pray each day for your children. Ask God to instill within them a lifestyle of holiness. Take time encourage them through all of life’s adventures. And discipline them, even though it may hurt you more than them, they’ll thank you when the grow old.

Remember, leadership begins at home. If you can’t lead your family, you can’t lead anywhere else. Create an atmosphere of praise, discipline and leadership at home and you’ll see success within your team at the office.

[reminder]How did your parents raise you and what would you add to this list? [/reminder]