How to raise Christian children

This hub is in response to a request made by Kat07 for Tips for raising Christian Children. I am a Christian grand father of a beautiful grand daughter of two years and 3 months. My sons wife is expecting their second child in June. My wife has been running a Kindergarten for children from the age of 2 years. With that expwerience behind us we decided that we would try and compile a list of tips for Christian parents and grand parents.

Children are a blessing from God. "Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates". Ps. 127:3-5 Its very clear that God gives us children so that we can be used to help shape their future.

As Christians one of the first things we need to do about anything is to pray and hand the situation over to our Father God. We prayed for our son before he was conceived, so that he was born into a situation prepared by God.

After he was born we made it a point to pray with him at bedtime when we tucked him in. Right through life we have prayed with him about big issues and small issues.

"Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them". Job 1:5 So it is important that we "sacrifice some time each day to ask God to forgive them, to help them grow, to protect them, and to help them please Him.

One of the important facts that my wife explained to all her parents was that you have a very small window of opportunity to have any influence in forming the character of your child. The maximum influence a parent can have with a child is between the ages of 0 to 7 years. After that external influences start moulding your childs life. So it is very important that you provide the right environment for your child until the age of 7 to see that your child gets the best foundation for life. Hence it is vital to be linked to a church that preaches the word and has a good sunday school or childrens groups that will teach your child the word of God.

In order that our children grow up to be good citizens and serve the community as good Christians we as parents must be the right people. What I mean is that for starters we have to be born again spirit filled Christians who not only say the right things but behave in the right way! Children recognize very quickly when you do not do the things you should do and do the things you should not do! Does that mean that we have to be perfect? None of us can be perfect. When we do make mistakes then its important that we set the situation right. For example if we punish our child in anger then we should apologize and ask their forgiveness.

In Genesis 26:7-11 we find Issac lying to the men in Gerar that Rebekah was his sister. Where did he learn the trick? He must have known about the actions of his father Abraham (Gen. 12:10-13 and 20:1-5) . Parents help to shape the world's future by the way they shape their children's values. The first step towards helping children live right is for the parents to live right. Your actions are often copied by those closest to you. What kind of example are you setting your children?

Being the right parent is not easy. It does not come naturally. Its something that one has to make the effort and time to learn how to do. One way is to join a good parenting course. It will be marvellous if your church runs a course. There may be Christian Organizations in your area running parenting courses. There are also online parenting courses. Why not get together with a few other parents and run a course together. There are courses available where a group of parents can get together and run a course using resources supplied.

"Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them". Ps. 13:23 The greatest responsibility God gives parents is the nurture and guidance of their children. It is very important that the right framework is setup for your child from the time the child is born. Its very important for a child to know that there are things he/she can do and there are things that they cannot do. For eample if bedtime is at 7pm then the child should know that he/she has to get to bed. Very often children will try to push their boundaries, but a loving parent should maintain the boundaries whatever the cost.

Without discipline children grow up with no clear understanding of right and wrong and with little direction to their lives. Disciplining children is an act of love.

It is very iomportant to introduce your children to God. Our son accepted Jesus when he was three years old. It happened quite naturally.

"I've also done it so you can tell your children and grandchildren about how I made a mockery of the Egyptions and about the signs I displayed among them-and so you will know that I AM the Lord". Exodus 10:2 God told Moses that his miraculous experiences should be retold to his decendants.

Tell your children every story of what God has done for your grandmother, your mother, your dad, you. Give your kids a little bit of godly heritage. It is important to tell our children about God's work in our past and to help them see what He is doing right now. What are the turning points in your life where God intervened? What is God doing for you now? Your stories will form the foundations of your childrens belief in God.

"Repeat them again and again to your chiildren. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up". Deut. 6:7 If you want your children to follow God, you must make God a part of your everyday experiences. Teach your children diligently to see God in all aspects of life, not just those that are church related.

In 1 Chronicles 22:7-10 God tells David that his son was the one who was to build the temple. So David prepared everything so that Soloman could build the temple. In the same way we should take steps to find and prepare the way for our children to fulfill God's purpose. Sooner or later our children have to make their own decisions but we can prepare them by providing the right tools: showing them how to pray and study God's word, the differance between right and wrong, and the importance of church involvement. The conversations we have with our children deserve our attention, honesty and vision. The times we spend time to pray and tell them what we pray God will accomplish in their lives can be the best gifts we give them. There have been many nights when my son had come back after a night out when he would want to sit and talk over a cup of tea. It meant that we ended up in bed about 4 in the morning but the discussions we had were very very special. These continued even after he got married!

Advice for New Parents

When mums get pregnant its not always planned! Specially the first time they can be totally unprepared. Whats needed are good guides to prepare them for their pregnancy the first years of a childs life.

Dr. Miriam Stoppards New Pregnancy & Birth Book

Dr Miriam Stoppard well known broadcaster and health care professional has written this excellant book to help new mums and dads to prepare for what lies ahead.

This is what one reader said "Having just found out I am pregnant my sister gave me this book and it is so useful. Incredibly useful. I am one of those women who are coming to motherhood late - in my late thrities and without any experience of either pregnancy or children in the family much. It is a bit nerve-wracking (as well as marvellously joyous) so this book has proved to be a real salve to my nerves. It is so straightforward, well set out and has a plethora of easy to access information to take you through the pregnancy and after." A. Woodley

First time Parents - By Dr Miriam Stoppard

This is a book for parents as they come to terms with all the new experiences they have to go through. One reader said, "If I had to buy one book for a new parent, this would be it. I love all of Dr. Stoppard's books, but this one is truly a book for mom and dad. This is also a book that focuses on the needs of the parents as well as the needs of the baby. The first-time parents concerns are examined and Dr. Miriam deals with every aspect from preparing for pregnancy to bonding with the baby as a family. The father's role in the childcare is also discussed in more detail. This takes a look at how parenthood will change your life and it offers constructive help on keeping your relationship alive."

One of the concerns that Mums have is about breast feeding. All midviwes, gynaecologists and health care professionals recomend and will help the new mum to breast feed her baby. Breast milk has got lots of nutrients that are essential for the baby. There is a great deal of evidence to indicate that breast fed babies cope better with infections, sleep better, and are happier babies. So its vital for mums breast feed their babies.

More information from Hubpages

How to Cope with Breastfeeding Challenges

How and When to Stop Breastfeeding

Potty training is one of the hurdles that parents have to cope with. My daughter in law manged to potty train her daughter in a week. She reommends "Potty Training in a week" By Gina Ford.

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Potty Training Your Toddler

Suddenly everything tends to go haywire! Yes, there is a teenager in the house! Now its a whole new ball game. How do we cope?

The most important thing is to ask God for help. He will help you as you go through all the various situations. In addition find out how other people have managed. Here is a selection of books that will help you.