“Train up a child in the way he should go: andwhen he is old, he will not depart from it.”

ChurchLiving

Child Rearing

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Child Rearing

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This series of lessons has been designed for private study or classroompresentation. The purpose of this foreword is to explain certain conventionsutilized throughout the program. The overall concept is to begin with the basicconcepts necessary for the new convert to understand and progress towardmore complex doctrine. The lessons are numbered in order to maintain theproper sequence of study.

When Scripture references are encountered in the text, various actions arerecommended. When in parenthetical bold (Genesis 1:1) the verse is to belooked up and read right away. Frequently, the next textual statement willcomment on that verse. Reading verse and text in proper order will enhanceone’s understanding of the verse. Direct quotes from Scripture will be “bolditalicized and contained in quotation marks” and, unless otherwise noted,will be from the King James Bible. When the reference is in parentheticalnon-bold (Genesis 1:1) it is to provide the Scriptural basis for the statement ifconfirmation is desired. References in blue Genesis 1:1 will be listed in thelesson section entitled FURTHER STUDY.

FURTHER STUDY is the “homework” section. Its purpose is to encourageBible study at home. The referenced verses have a short summation to assistthe student desiring more knowledge about a subject to find what they arelooking for.

The DISCUSSION QUESTIONS section is primarily for classroom use.Open discussion with the exchange of ideas produces growth for all involved.Most of the time the answer is contained in the referenced Scripture butsometimes the question is offered for open discussion. Even in private Biblestudy, analysis of the question and the search for its answer can be rewarding.

This work is offered to anyone with a desire to better understand God’s Word.It is our hope and prayer that the person studying these lessons will come awaywith a better understanding of God’s will and a closer walk with our Lord,Jesus Christ.

With Loving Concern for all those seeking God’s MessageThe Church of God Rocky Mount

Rocky Mount, Virginia

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and whenhe is old, he will not depart from it.”

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Across the field of yesterdayHe sometimes comes to me,A little lad just back from play,The lad I used to be.

And yet he smiles so wistfullyOnce he has crept within,I wonder if he hopes to seeThe man I might have been.

Author Unknown

Children are a gift from God.The Bible has much to sayabout child rearing and how thechildren should act. Lo, chil-dren are an heritage of theLORD: and the fruit of thewomb is his reward. As arrowsare in the hand of a mightyman; so are children of theyouth. Happy is the man thathath his quiver full of them:they shall not be ashamed, butthey shall speak with the ene-mies in the gate (Psalms 127:3-5).

Jesus loved children. Once,when young children werebrought to Him for Him totouch them, the disciples re-buked those that brought them.When Jesus saw this, He wasdispleased with the disciplesand told them to allow the littlechildren to approach, for theyare models of the childlike ac-ceptance to be found in the

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Child RearingKingdom of God (Mark10:13-15). Notice verse 15that states that the ones withoutthis innocent belief will not beallowed to enter there.

From an early age they must betaught God’s Word and His law.And ye shall teach them yourchildren, speaking of themwhen thou sittest in thinehouse, and when thou walkestby the way, when thou liestdown, and when thou risestup. And thou shalt write themupon the door posts of thinehouse, and upon thy gates(Deuteronomy 11:19-20).

Give them chores. Every childshould be given somethingthey are responsible for gettingdone and the parent should seethat they do it. Don’t nag andfuss when they fail to perform,withhold rewards until theyearn them. When they do thechore, compliment them forperforming. Even if the qualityof the task is below par, thankthem for trying. If you always

find fault, they will becomediscouraged.

God has rules for mankind anda household should have itsrules. A child has no directionwithout rules. They need toknow where the boundariesare. Be consistent and stick tothe rules you have. Mothersand Dads should agree. Don’ttell them one thing while theother parent tells them some-thing else.

Always set the right example.Don’t think they don’t see andhear what you do. I rememberwhen my mother would sendme to borrow a cup of sugarfrom a neighbor and how shewould always return a cup anda half. When I asked her why

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Child Rearingshe did that she said she alwayswanted to make sure she re-turned enough. I find myselfdoing the same. What if shehad said, “I don’t have to returnwhat I borrowed, they havemore than we do”?

Good advice to fathers for in-stilling the desired values intheir daughters is to be the kindof man you want her to marry.The same principle applies tothe son. Be the kind of manyou want him to be.

Children are instructed to obeytheir parents in the Lord for thisis right (Colossians 3:20). TheFifth Commandment has apromise if obeyed. Honourthy father and thy mother:that thy days may be longupon the land which theLORD thy God giveth thee(Exodus 20:12). Also, My son,forget not my law; but let thineheart keep my command-ments: For length of days,and long life, and peace, shall

they add to thee (Proverbs 3:1-2).Daughters should be taught todress and behave in a lady-likemanner. 1 Timothy 2:9 is ad-vice to a woman but if thewoman abides by it, she willteach her children the samequalities. It is the little things,done daily, that they will re-member, not how much moneyyou spend on them or if youdrive the latest car or have thenicest house. It’s the consistentacts of love that they will re-member.

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Child RearingParents are instructed not towithhold correction from theirchild (Proverbs 23:13). Donot allow them to do as theyplease, but don’t over corrector micro manage to the pointthat the child becomes discour-aged (Colossians 3:21). Cor-rection must be combined withaffection that shows the childthat they are loved and youractions are in accordance withGod’s perspective concerningtheir upbringing (Ephesians6:4). To be God-like parents,we must have love for eachchild. Each child is different

with a unique personality be-cause God likes variety. Theform of your expression of loveneeds to be tailored to eachchild’s disposition, especiallyin a large family environment.If each one has a particularprovince in what would be amulti-faceted relationship andknows that this is their ownlittle world, it will go a longway to minimizing jealousy.Don’t compare and point outdifferences in your children.Showing a preference for onechild over another is hurtfuland wrong.

Praise your child, but do it hon-estly, for “Praise to a child islike water to a thirsty plant.” Acertain television personalityrelated how being told as achild that she was the “smartestlittle thing” made such a differ-ence to her that she remembersit to this very day. Don’t overpraise. Keep it honest. Themother of a beautiful younggirl repeatedly told her daugh-ter how pretty and perfect she

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Child Rearingwas and this excess of praiseresulted in the girl’s beingvain, spoiled, and conceited.

During an episode of “Focuson the Family” it was said thata child spells LOVE “T-I-M-E”. Spend time with yourchildren. Play games, takewalks, have a picnic, talk withthem or read a story. They willremember these things. Moni-tor the T. V. Don’t allow toomuch time on the computerand if at all possible, don’tleave children alone at home.Encourage them to bring theirfriends home and make theirfriends welcome. Some of the

most popular moms inAmerica are the ones who canwhip up a fast snack of goodiesfor the neighbor’s kids.

The best gift parents can givetheir children is a loving home.Parents showing love and re-spect for each other establishthe right atmosphere for thechild. Of course you must loveyour children and let themknow they are loved and ap-preciated. Being a good parentis a hard job. Sometimes itmay seem like a thankless job,but in the end it will be re-warding.

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CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.If a child lives with fear, he learns to be apprehensive.If a child lives with pity, he learns to be sorry for himself.If a child lives with jealousy, he learns to feel guilty.If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be confident.If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.If a child lives with praise, he learns to be appreciative.If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love.If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.If a child lives with recognition, he learns to have a goal.If a child lives with fairness, he learns what justice is.If a child lives with honesty, he learns what truth is.If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith in himself.If a child lives with friendliness, he learns that the world is anice place in which to live.

Child Rearing

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Child Rearing

1. Why are children so precious? See page two, Psalms 127:3_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What is the connection between correction and love?Proverbs 3:12_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Discuss an event in your childhood that gave you a life-longlesson._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Matthew 18:3-5 Become as little children.

Matthew 19:13-14 Jesus said, Suffer little children.

Matthew 21:15-16 Young children praised Jesus.

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Child Rearing

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Child Rearing

27 Brookledge LaneRocky Mount, VA 24151

Phone: 1-888-898-7698