To instruct comes from the Hebrew: chanak, which means to narrow, initiate, discipline, train, instruct. That is, our job is not to give a career to our children, but to ensure that they have the discipline to find and persevere in their path that has been provided divinely. For them to find and be able to stay on their way (career), they need discipline, they need instruction. The child who is instructed (discipline) does not need punishment. The one that is punished regularly does not have discipline. We must have balance in our relationship with them so that our instruction of eternal fruit in our children. We find wise words in the bible, a council that helps to succeed in the education of children; "Train the child in his way, and even when he is old he will not turn away from him." The ministry of parenting is an extraordinary task and you can not overstate your responsibility; For the formation that we give to the children will depend on the direction that their life will take in this world and also in the future that is eternal.
We could not be parents without the wise, loving and merciful help of our God. The psalmist is right when he says: "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it ..." (Psalm 127: 1). This is why we who are parents have to observe a close communion and dependence on the Loving Father in Heaven to take from Him the perfect model of fatherhood. Instructing the child on his path does not mean trying to change his personality. Personality is something innate, that is, it is brought from birth. It is something permanent in man because even when he comes to know Christ as Savior, his personality traits continue. There is something important to keep in mind. The book of Proverbs teaches us that there are only two ways in this world: the path of wisdom and justice and the path of foolishness and impiety. There is no third way. There is no middle way. There is the path that leads to eternal life and the path that leads to perdition. God has placed these children in our hands to teach them how they should live, think and above all about who should put their faith for salvation. You have to teach them the right way. Therefore, the idea is not to educate or train the child according to his personality, according to his way of being, as some have said. Some of our ways of being: thinking and acting are sinful. If not that the training should be directed towards what they should be and what they should think about.
The use of an instrument for discipline is extremely important:
- "Prov 13:24 He who holds the rod (the punishment) hates his son: but he who loves him, dawns to punish him."
Punishment: bad translation of the Hebrew "shebet", which means 'rod of a tree' used to punish, walk or write. It also means cedar.
Prov 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the boy's heart; But the rod of correction will drive it away from him.
Prov 23: 13-14 Do not refuse the correction of the boy: for if you wound him with a rod, he will not die. You will strike him with a rod, and you will free his soul from hell.
Prov 29:15 The rod and the correction give wisdom: But the spoiled boy (spoiled, cuddly, ridiculed, technically: a child who is denied nothing) will embarrass his mother.
As you see here, the instruction must be accompanied by the rod. You can replace the rod with any effective instrument. We started with the use of a wooden kitchen spoon, and now we use a wide leather strap. The idea is to use an instrument that causes burning but does not do physical damage to the child.
That is why we have to take care of how we speak to them, how we react when they do something wrong, when they give us to understand that many of the things they are learning in their homes are clearly opposed to the Word of God. Let's take advantage of these opportunities to pray specifically for those things and instruct them in the right way to think and act.
This implies that we are models for them. This is not the time to shout at them, humiliate them, mock them, mistreat them, complain in front of them. Sometimes children receive teasing from other children or from other teachers. Let's take care to do similar things.
What Proverbs teaches us in this passage. It teaches us that the purpose of instructing, educating and training children is for eternal life. And that the best way to do it is to instruct him from childhood. May God grant that we all fulfill this mission as best we can for the glory of God.
Children are a gift from God.
We are aware of the great treasure that children are and the potential they represent. We have an opportunity that is priceless as we cultivate thirst for God in our children. The home is the most powerful influence to develop positive emotional and spiritual growth. Take care of your treasures that are priceless, knowing that in your investment of time and energy you will reap tremendous benefits.
They need the church as support.
Relationships are the key to spiritual growth. You and your child should be connected with others within the family of your church who can provide the support and encouragement needed to cultivate spiritual growth. Sunday school can be a powerful means of taking your child with peers of the same age to study and learn about God at his level. Do not stop attending your church! In a hectic and hectic world, your family can not live without this vital institution. Make church attendance a routine for you and your children.