Chances are pretty good that you have dealt with the question, “What’s gone so wrong with our children?” In conservative circles, we hear a lot of talk about dysfunctional families, especially, relating to the lack of good fathers. In the next three or four blogs I will be dealing some with that issue.
NOTES RE: PARENTING/BABY DEDICATION
Luke 2:22-24
They brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord: (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord; and to offer a sacrifice according to that
which is said in the law of the Lord,…)
Historical significance of this ceremony: Developed from the instruction in Ex. 13:12-13 “you are to give over to the Lord the first offspring of every womb. . . Redeem every firstborn among your sons.”
Present day significance of this ceremony:
1. The child is blessed by a man/woman of God, as Jesus was blessed by Simeon & Anna.
2. It is a time to publicly thank God for his blessing. “…children are an heritage of the Lord…” Ps. 127:3
3. It is a public stand the parents take that it is their intention to raise the child in a Christian home, to “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” Eph. 6:4
4. It is a milestone where can return time and time again during times of distress, sickness, or confusion in order to build one’s faith that God is in control.
5. It is a testimony by which parents can bless and lead children as they give guidance during “growing up” years.
6. This public witness keeps parents accountable for their vow to God.
CHARACTERS TO MODEL:
JOSHUA: Joshua 24:15 …choose this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord
ABRAHAM: God’s words, Gen. 18:19 KJ For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment: NIV is not quite the same connotation, but still effective: For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.
PHILLIPIAN JAILER: He and his whole family had “come to believe in God.” Acts 16:31
LYDIA: She and members of her household were baptized Acts 16:15
EUNICE & LOIS: Especially encouraging for single mothers (or mothers who do not have fathers who will participate in raising a child according to God’s way).
2 Tim. 1:5
BLESSINGS ON THE CHILDREN OF RIGHTEOUS:
Ps. 37:25-26 …I have never seen the righteous forsaken, or their children begging bread…their children will be blessed.
Ps. 61:5 …you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
Ps. 102:28 The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you.
Ps. 103:17 “The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
Acts 2:39 “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”
PARENTAL OBLIGATION TO TEACH/TRAIN:
Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Training/teaching at home: Isaiah 38:19: “…the father to the children shall make known thy truth.” Deut. 11:19: “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Psalm 101:3 “I will walk in my house with blameless heart. I will set before my eyes no vile thing.”(Control media in home for adults & children.)
Eph. 6:4: “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Prov. 3:12 “…whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. (Correcting can be both positive and negative.) Prov. 20:7 “A just man walketh in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.”
Training/teaching at church: Luke 18:16 “Let the little children come to me…”
Joseph & Mary took Jesus to “church” according to their custom. Hannah gave Samuel completely to the care of the “church.” “So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” Keep children under the influence of Godly men/mentors: Eli/Samuel, Paul/Timothy, probably also Barnabas/John Mark.
Negative reinforcement: Prov. 29:15: “The rod of correction imparts wisdom…”
Prov. 19:18: “Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.”
PARENTAL OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE:
I Tim. 5:8 “…if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” Luke 11:11 “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone?…give good gifts to your children…” Prov. 13:22 “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children:” If money is tight, remember this: Prov. 15:17 “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.”
Sweet aroma 
When my kids were growing up I was not yet saved, but I took things from the Bible when raising them. I believed in God for most of my life and had read the Bible I just had not for whatever reason asked Him for salvation. One thing they learned young was there are consequences for your actions and the other was if I told you I will punish you for bad behavior it is a promise you can take to the bank. I also spanked my kids and a couple of times my daughter was smacked on the cheek once was because she got in my face and told me to take my own d*mn dog out. I never tolerated disrespect ever. The other was because she bit me hard one the arm at the age of 12 years old.
Parents for a long time now are not giving their kids consequences for their bad behavior they instead reward them for it. It is the same with Christian and secular families. Kid call parents names and throws a fit in public kid gets what they want. Parents constantly replace toys, electronics, etc their kids break so they never learn to value anything. God is the most important element in raising children and my son is saved so I must have given him enough to get him that far, my daughter is still a work in progress, but then I was a late bloomer too.
Consistency seems to be a positive quality in your reward/punishment discipline of your children. You make a lot of good observations. I hope my readers will read my comment section. It so often expands my thoughts. Thank you.
Thank you Oneta. I didn’t spank them a lot and not over everything just when words would not make my point clear. My daughter was a challenge for sure, but very much worth the effort.
Oneta Hayes, God bless you! I am going to spread your site far and wide! It’s time to share you with the world, they are going to need your comforting words! People do not need to comply with everything we are fixing to face! We need to protect the children from another attempt to crush their world! All will be revealed, praise God when things look bad! We are living in Biblical times! Godspeed to all!
Thanks so much, biloxigal43. Sweet words from you. I often find that you use links to video and audio material. I cannot hear well enough nor focus well on those media. I love when I find you have written a blog. That I understand. 😀
wow, so comprehensive. I am actually searching our local library for a book to help my grandsons learn to cope with their “big” emotions. Since the pandemic started, their parents divorced, their mom gave their dog away, sold their van with DVD player for GREAT road trips, the oldest one broke his elbow (had to keep the cast totally dry for 6 weeks) then six months later, it broke again in the same spot, their dad got a new girlfriend, then another one, their mom finally settled on a man and now they are moving out of state and away from their dad – and farther from us. Heck, I need a book on how to deal with my big emotions. But then I see this series you’ve started. So you are preaching to the choir here with me….what about the second string???? I guess I will read on….
Your children are in a world of hurt. I’m glad they have you to give them a place of stability. You are already on my “honors” list. Our choir sounds pretty good to me. I believe our Director likes what we contribute. He does have a heap of patience, however!