Christian Parenting Today

Sometimes it can be difficult for parents in today's modern world to consider the Bible an applicable parenting resource. After all, the Bible's words were written thousands of years ago. Life has changed a lot since then! Parents may feel so detached from the culture and situations presented in the Bible that they never even consider using God's Word as an instruction for parenting.

Though times have changed dramatically, God Himself has not changed at all. Of course God knew way back in Moses' day what we parents would face in the twenty-first century. In His Wisdom, he has included the information, encouragement, and resources that we parents need today. We can learn much from the experiences of our fellow parents "in the trenches" in today's world, but we mustn't neglect returning to the source, to God's Word, for the foundation of our roles as parents and teachers to our children.

Be An Example

The most effective method of teaching our children our Christian values is through our own example. Parents are the child's first introduction to what is acceptable. Even as children grow and begin to learn from friends and others outside the family, they still look to their parents for confirmation (even if they won't admit it!). Deuteronomy, chapter six, says in verse seven, "And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." That certainly gives us the message of all the time. We can't hope to give a once a year lecture to explain our moral values to our children.

Children are always listening and watching. It truly seems like a huge responsibility for anyone, but every choice a parent makes is a lesson being taught to his children. All the words in the world don't mean a hill of beans if a parent's actions convey a different message. Christian parenting today is not so very different as it was during the time of the early Church. Living our lives according to the Scriptures is the foundation now, just as it was then. Remember that in Second Corinthians, chapter three, verses two and three, Paul says we are living epistles "read of all men." It is not our words that matter so much as our actions.

Admit Mistakes and Seek Forgiveness

News flash! All parents are human and make mistakes, lose their tempers, say things they shouldn't…in other words, we sin. While being the best example of Christian values that you can be is extremely important in conveying those values to your children, the fact is that you will sometimes display behavior that isn't appropriate, even behavior that is downright wrong. It's just part of being a sinner saved by grace! These times actually give each of us a beautiful opportunity to share with our children one of the most basic Christian values that we hold: repentance and forgiveness.

When something happens–perhaps uttering a "wordy-durd" when the car gets a flat tire–of course, the first step should be to seek the Lord's forgiveness, which He is always willing to extend to us. The second thing we parents should do, if our children witnessed our sin, is to confess to them. "Billy and Ann, you heard me say a word yesterday that it is never okay for me to say." Let them know that you have asked God's forgiveness and that He has given it (assure them that God always forgives, no matter how many times we need to ask for Him to forgive again). Then ask their forgiveness too: "Can you guys forgive me, too, for saying that word?"

The kids will be delighted to hear Mom or Dad say, "I did something wrong, and I'm sorry." These situations have an amazing impact on children and teach them lessons that will last throughout their lives. When we make mistakes, when we sin, it's okay to admit we were wrong and to seek forgiveness. Really, for Christian parents, that is the single most important lesson we should hope to instill in our children.

With these two points in mind–being a Godly example and being willing to admit our mistakes to our children–all parents can have a solid foundation for successful Christian parenting today. Our example and our demonstrations of repentance will bring innumerable results as our children grow into Christian adults.