1. WHAT ARE PARENTS TO DO WITH THEIR CHILDREN?
     The first thing to see in these verses is God.

Deuteronomy 6:4

"The LORD our God is one LORD:"

He is the focus of our faith and teaching-the One we want to introduce our children to.

     Secondly,

Deuteronomy 6:5-6

"And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart,...soul, and ...might ... and these words, which I command you today shall be in your heart."

Before you teach your children what to do, you need to do it. Before it's in their heart it needs to be in your heart. You must be 100% committed to God and to God's Word.

     Thirdly,

Deuteronomy 6:7

"You shall teach them diligently to your children,"

The training of children is mainly the responsibility of parents-not the school teacher, church worker or even grandparents. But also notice the word "diligently" Training children in the Word of God is a full-time job and it is hard work. It takes commitment and faithfulness to do that every day.

     Fourthly,

Deuteronomy 6:7

"..talk of them when you sit ... when you walk ...when you lie down ... when you rise up."

Do children learn best sitting in some meeting? No. They learn best in the natural flow of life. How do you do that? When you do laundry, talk about how our hearts need to be cleaned from sin. When you go to the store, give God glory for providing money to buy food. Every area of our lives can point us to God.

     Fifth,

Deuteronomy 6:8-9

"You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and ...gates."

The Israelites actually tied boxes to their hands and to their houses with Scripture in them. The Word of God needs to have high priority in our homes. We need to teach our children verses because it will bear fruit in their lives. We must use whatever means we can to teach our children verses: pictures, hand motions and music.

2. HOW DO PARENTS TRAIN THEIR CHILDREN?
      In the New Testament the main command to children is to obey and honor their parents. Ephesians 6:1-2 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother,' "Why does God say that? Because the main way we show God we love Him is by obeying and honoring Him. The home is a training ground for children. If they can learn to obey and honor their parents, then obeying and honoring God won't be a problem.

      A child who grows up in a home that is low in discipline and low in love will usually be bitter and rebellious. A child who grows up in a home that is low in discipline and high in love will usually be lazy and have no purpose. A child who grows up in a home that is high in discipline and low in love will usually have a poor self image. So it is important to have a balance of discipline and love.

      But how should parents teach their children to obey and honor? First, of all by telling them clearly what to do (if possible, telling them why) and praising them when they do what is right. Secondly, by correcting them when they do what is wrong or do not obey. Did you know that for discipline to be effective it has to be quick and consistent. A good illustration of that is fire. When you put your hand in a flame the punishment is quick and always the same. So you don't make the mistake twice. In the same way, every time your child does wrong, if the punishment is quick and consistent, then they won't keep doing it. Proverbs 13:24 says "He that spares his rod hates his son: but he that loves him chastens him diligently." Proverbs 22:15 says "Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child; [but] the rod of correction shall drive it far from him."(cf. Proverbs 23:13-14; 29:15; Hebrews 12:5-7). Scripture clearly teaches that the most loving thing a parent can do to a disobedient child is to spank him.

      Here is the method of spanking that my parents used with me and that we use with our children. When spanking a child:
1. Ask them to go to your bedroom. This will give them time to think about what they have done. This will also give you time to cool down as a parent. DO NOT spank your child while you are angry.
2. Get a rod. Whenever the Bible speaks about disciplining a child, it always talks about using a rod. It never talks about using your hand.
3. Ask the child, "Do you realize that what you did was wrong?" You may show him from the Bible what God thinks about this.
4. Ask the child to lie across your lap. Put one hand on his neck or shoulders. With the other hand spank him on his bottom.
5. Spank him a set number of times. Do it slowly and firmly.
6. Talk and pray with him. Explain how he needs to ask for forgiveness. Forgive him and assure him you will never mention this again. Also, have him pray and ask God for His forgiveness.
7. Give him a hug and tell him how much you love him.

A man, named Jack, who visited Kenya years ago came back telling about a very unique communication system used there - the "talking drums." When a message needed to be sent, the drummer picked up his two sticks and beat out that message (for example "Hello John." And then down the river a little bit you could hear another drummer had picked up his sticks and was beating out that message. And then a moment later from a little bit farther away you could hear the drum beats passing on. And after a little while a message came back, "Yes, Jack, how are you doing?" God has handed Christian parents the drum-sticks and we are responsible to pass the message on to our children. When you die there is only one thing you can take to heaven with you - the children you lead to Christ. I pray that you will raise a godly family.

by Steve Nicholes
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