Four Diligent Steps Toward Relationship With Your Children

The times that we are living in today are quite different from years ago. Timothy declared that in the last days men would be lovers of themselves and it is the selfishness of people that seem to over ride everything else. Our children are faced with different challenges than years ago, they are dealing with pressure relating to new age technology, peer pressure and single family homes. But one thing that never changes that parents can rely on and that is the faithfulness of Jesus. Hebrews 13:8 declares Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever.This is important to understand because Jesus was a child that came into the world with problems also, and he understands the parent child relationship and the problems associated. As a child He...

Was sought after by Herod to be killed

Raised by a father who was not his legitimate father

Forgotten by his parents as they left him during the feast

Did not do anything spectacular during the silent years as a child

Remain diligent in faith:

In Mathew 15 There is a story about a Syrophoenician woman who had a daughter that was back home grievously vexed with a devil. This woman encompasses everything about Hebrews 11:6 that we will begin to look at. The scripture declares that without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a re warder of them that diligently seek him. First of all she is a woman of faith because Jesus commends her faith by saying woman great is your faith be it unto you according to thy will. Second she comes to Jesus because she believes that he is,and third she diligently seeks Jesus because she wants the reward of having her daughter delivered. These diligent steps she takes are also diligent steps for parents to take for their children today.

Believing in your child:

Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1). Believing what a child can become instead of looking at what they are betraying themselves to be is needed and very important. For a parent who can look no farther than the happenings of the moment can spell frustration and disaster for them. This may lead to a parent giving up on their child instead of remaining an important impact in the childs life. In our bible lesson all of the destructive behavior from the daughter vexed with a devil could not stop her mother from seeing who she could become and doing all she could to make that a reality in her daughters life.

• Know where your children are:

When the woman approaches Jesus she begins to tell him about her daughter being vexed with a devil. She knows that this is not a discipline problem or something that can be handled practically, but she knows this is a spiritual battle and spiritual battles require spiritual weapons. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 declares that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (Fleshly) but are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. She diligently pursues her spiritual weapon in Jesus on behalf of her daughter. Knowing where a child is at is dealing with the root causes of what is surfacing on the top. What are the causes of rebellion, isolation, no respect and any other problems? If they cannot be dealt with practically, then it must be dealt with spiritually through prayer,fasting, the word of God, the name of Jesus, the angelic host, etc.

Don't let unexpected opposition stop you:

Diligently seeking the Lord on behalf of the home will not be without opposition. The woman first of all came to Jesus and the Disciples became a hindrance instead of a help to her. They demanded that Jesus send her away. Many times people who should be encouraging may end up being the hindrance, but one must continue looking to Jesus who is the author and finisher of one's faith. If Jesus starts something in one's life he is obligated himself to finishing it. The woman eventually got Jesus to pay attention to her problem child and a happy ending came about.

• Build character in your child through positive example

• Don't show favoritism if more than one sibling is in the home

• Set boundaries

• Remember parenting comes before being your child's friend

• Develop the child's gifts

• Parents should not force their childhood dreams on their children unless the child has an interest

• Nurture your child's self-esteem

• Talk to your child

• Find out who they hang around

• Discipline out of love and not from anger

• It's alright for the parent to say sorry if they are wrong

• Support them in their school and sport endeavors as much as possible

• Voice their successes

• View things from their perspective and not always from a parental perspective