Train Your Children while Still Young

Train your children while they are still young.

Proverbs 22:6 (Good News Bibleersion)

 “Teach each children how they should live, and they will remember it all their lives.”

Introduction:

Parenthood is a challenging role that every couple must face and fulfill with joy. To become a parent is not an incident that happens in the life of a woman and a man. With this, they must be prepared mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and financially and by being responsible individuals in short, they must be mature individuals in all aspects. The children did not ask to be born and be part of the world and do not have the capacity to choose who will be their parents.

So, we remind everyone, women and men, that they need to carefully study it; they have to think thoroughly if they are ready to enter this state, because so much in a person's life will change when they enter a married life. So, as a pastor, I always remind them them that the two individuals who enter this life must have a strong affection toward each other; they are completely trusting each other and completely honest with each other, and they need to be mature individuals in all aspects. In short, the couple should be faithful to each other at all times and wherever they set their feet.

We will study, understand,, and be inspired by the Holy Scriptures, especially from the book of Proverbs, and what it teaches that parents, churches, schools, and society should do to develop the children. This is where our conversation about being a good parent will focus.

Guidance From the Holy Scriptures:

In this topic, we will study the part of the Holy Scriptures, right from the book of Proverbs in chapter 22:6, which says, “6Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their lives.” Children should be taught from a young age. They should learn good lessons, good lessons that should be instilled in their minds so that they will be guided as they grow. This includes correct behavior, appropriate thinking, work, how to relate with others, and above all, having faith in God. While they are still young, they should be taught the right things and what they should learn because children, just like a blank sheet of paper, are still clean; no knowledge has been introduced into the minds and heart of every child, so it is appropriate to instill in their minds and emotions the right and appropriate knowledge to prepare them for a future that is full of challenges for a beautiful, consistent, and just life.

Our lesson from the book of Proverbs says that children are supposed to be taught from a young age. It emphasized that when they grow up, they will not forget it they will still remember, and that is what they will truly use in their daily lives. So, I, as a pastor, even if the children are messy in the church, don’t reprimand them nor remind their parents to make their children behave, but rather continue to remind or teach their child to become behave, my primary concern is that every child will appreciate the importance of going to church, that out of seven days a week, there is one day that should be dedicated to God. If every parent waits for them to grow up and behave, they will no longer appreciate the importance of having some time for God, that it should be worshipped and thanked. But in this matter, the main inspiration and model for every child is their own parents. It is not from others, not from those around them, but from themselves, as their parents.

The main educator, or first teacher, is their parents. Even before they enter formal school, they have already been educated at home. Susanna Wesley, mother of Fr. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Movement of the 18th century England, was the first to teach her children. Whether boys or girls, she gave equal time and attention to her 10 children. The first thing she taught them was to memorize the “Lord’s Prayer,” which everyone knows as “Our Father.” All of them, the 10 siblings, should memorize it, so before they go to bed and wake up, they should recite this prayer. Second is discipline in their work, food, and proper behavior; they learned that they do not need to eat between breakfast and lunch and dinner. They literally only ate 3 times a day. Therefore, the siblings lived a correct and proper life; 2 of the siblings became priests in the Church of England, John and Charles. They learned to be frugal, especially Fr. John, in the name of charity.

So, it is appropriate that children, while still young, should be given time, quality time; it is too late if they wait until they grow up and have the capacity to comprehend. Since, when they reached adolescence or became teenagers, their circle has expanded, it is no longer just you, who are their parents, who they interact with and spend time with. I remember the experience of my wife from fellow pastor and the wife of a fellow pastor. She said, "While your children are young, make it a point to include them whereverou go that it is possible, because when they grow up, it will be difficult for you to include them because they already have something they want to be with." Indeed, when they were teenagers, adolescents, and now mature individuals, we rarely took them out on events or other important journey. When they have time and have important occasions, that is the only time we get bond as a family.

Give Children Time While They Are Young:

In this era, where everything is moving and doing quickly, young parents today who focus their time, energy, and thoughts on their careers must learn to balance their time, energy, and thoughts, including those for their children, whom they love. Giving them quality time is not only an obligation but also an appreciation for the future and good character that their child deserves to have. Do not just rely on grandparents or their nanny to take care of your child/children. Remember that it is not only material and financial considerations that every child want, but also time, attention, and care that they want most.

So, this is what parents should think about, learn, and develop for their child that God has entrusted to them as couples. Every child is not the property of the parents. Children are not something that should be considered as the property of anyone, especially parents. They are entrusted by God to each couple. So, whatever their situation may be, we owe it to God. There is an old saying, “Tell me who your children are, and I will tell you what kind of parent you are.” Children are a reflection of their parents.

Conclusion.

Being a parent in the true sense is not easy. It is not just a matter of being able to conceive and bear children, but above all it is a matter of lovingly guiding and caring for the children that God has entrusted to every couple. So, a challenge and a reminder to every couple to devote time and attention to developing quality children. While they are still young, teach them good, correct, and just knowledge to be their guide so that when they grow up they will not forget it; they will remember it. In fulfilling our duty, let us not rely only on our intelligence and physical capacity; let us include our great God in fulfilling our duty in all aspects, because with God nothing is impossible. May God's guidance and leadership be with us at all times.