Raising Children

Raising Children



A1 Be Christian

B1 Salvation

C1 This is the highest and most important. If you don't know this or are confused, see NeedGod.com

C2 The importance of this is to have God's help to lead your children to a knowledge and belief in the Gospel.

B2 God has highest authority in life (and everything else)

A2 Act Christian—There is no time for hypocrites. The children will quickly see through your façade.


A3 Love—God's love

B1 1 Corinthians 13 is God's definition of love.

B2 Love is a choice, not necessarily a feeling.

B3 Love your spouse according to 1 Corinthians 13.

B4 Honor God, then your spouse, then the children.

B5 When you come home from work, lay aside the work stresses and woes and take time to listen to your spouse and children.

B6 When the second child, etc., is born, give attention to the first born. Do this until they are older and know that you love both of them.

B7 Men help your wives. Don't be a lazy slacker. You can cook, do dishes, change diapers. Quit being a coward.

A4 Pray

B1 Prayer is talking to God.

B2 Pray for wisdom and guidance.

B3 Pray for the children.

A4 Be humble

B1 This is not weakness.

B2 This is not seeking your way all the time.

B3 This is always submitting to the truth, even if it hurts.

B4 This is asking forgiveness from your children and others when we have been wrong.

B5 For you deliver humble people, but haughty eyes you humiliate. (Psalms 18:27LEB)

B6 Take my yoke on you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:29LEB)

B7 But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."2 (James 4:6LEB)

A5 Consistency

B1 Inconsistency causes confusion, then hurt, then manipulation.

B2 Be consistent.

B3 If the children have rules, follow them yourself.

A6 Raise/teach/act the fruits of the Spirit

B1 Reject/teach to reject/act by rejecting the fruit of the flesh

B2 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, impurity, licentiousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife, jealousy, wrath, selfishness, divisions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of which I tell you beforehand, as I have also told you in time past, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

C1 The first four deal with sexual sins.

C2 The next two deal with religious sins.

C3 The rest deal with sins against society.

C4 It is not enough to just tell them to not do these things.

D1 They must understand what they mean.

D2 They must know why.

B3 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, self-control: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:19-26KJ2000)

C1 All of the above need God's help, for they do not come naturally.

C2 All of the above not only help the individual but also society.

C3 Teach the children what they mean and why.

A7 Answer hard questions For example:

B1 How do I know there is a god?

B2 What is there evil is God is good?

B3 How do I know Jesus is God?

A8 Don't provoke to anger

B1 Abuse hurts—emotional, financial, physical, sexual, etc.

B2 Hurt leads to bitterness, then anger, then hate, then murder (suicide or homicide).

B3 Inconsistency, favoritism, treating your spouse badly, etc. are some other examples.

A9 Choices have consequences


A10 Be care of addictive habits

B1 Coffee is addictive but does not cloud the judgment.

B2 Drugs (even unneeded prescription drugs), alcohol, porn, etc. are addictive and cloud the judgment.

A11 Quiet

B1 Learn to speak quietly.

B2 Learn to listen intently. Know what the other person is saying.

B3 Look in their eyes when they are talking.

B4 Don't interrupt.

A12 Work ethic

B1 Have a job (if at all possible).

B2 Be on time.

B3 Do a good job.

B4 Have a job where you can be home as much as possible.

B5 Money is not the most important thing.

B6 Have chores for all the children.

B7 If possible live in the country, so all can learn gardening, animal care, and enjoy a less crowded life.

A13 Learn to prioritize

B1 Somethings are more important than money.

B2 What are your priorities?

B3 What is most important for each day?

B4 Find your priorities and keep them as much as possible.

A14 Bible reading/studying

B1 Read the Bible and study it every day.

B2 If it is a boring book to you, then examine yourself to see if you are really a Christian.

B3 Buy a well bound Bible, preferably a study Bible. Again there are many. You can search on line and many retailers have previews/samples of pages.

B4 Have a plan to read and study it.

B5 Search for online Bible study. My favorite is Blue Letter Bible, but there are many.

A15 Worship together

B1 Have daily family devotions from the Bible, not just any book. Read it, explain it, apply it, memorize it together. Dad should take the lead.

B2 Attend a faithful Bible teaching church together.

A16 Enjoy your family.