God entrusts kids to us so we can nurture them to maturity— Intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. Our goal is to help them find and fulfill God's design for their lives and to teach them about the character of Christ. We usually think of training and instruction as words, but words can end up exasperating our kids.
God's plan may involve some difficult times, and we should teach our kids that a strong character will help them through those times. The character we should be teaching them to adopt is the character of Christ. The choices they make and the consequences they face are opportunities to talk to them about the character of Jesus.
They allow us to focus on internal—what is going on inside the child—rather than external behavior.
Teaching your child "survival skills," as contrasted to spending most of your efforts ensuring their survival. Too often, we attempt to ensure survival by rescuing, nagging , and we end up with children unprepared to face the world without us.
Redefine what it means to train and instruct your kids about the character of Christ.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Lesson # 14 : Exasperating Your Kids
"exasperate" means to provoke to anger or to enrage.
And, the fastest way to exasperate a child is to micromanage every move, correct each misstep, and point out all the areas he needs to improve. Kids who are nagged and lectured soon become frustrated and often respond by rebelling, withdrawing, or "losing heart." We are so inclined to over-correct, we often end up fighting about small things that aren't important. We may win the argument, but lose the war as we find our kids disconnecting from us.
Instead, try walking beside your kids as you lovingly allow them to experience the consequences of their choices. This is a far better way to create an environment in which a child can understand and embrace God's design for his life.
Pick your battles and avoid exasperating your kids.
Eph 6:4: Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord (NIV).
And, the fastest way to exasperate a child is to micromanage every move, correct each misstep, and point out all the areas he needs to improve. Kids who are nagged and lectured soon become frustrated and often respond by rebelling, withdrawing, or "losing heart." We are so inclined to over-correct, we often end up fighting about small things that aren't important. We may win the argument, but lose the war as we find our kids disconnecting from us.
Instead, try walking beside your kids as you lovingly allow them to experience the consequences of their choices. This is a far better way to create an environment in which a child can understand and embrace God's design for his life.
Pick your battles and avoid exasperating your kids.
Eph 6:4: Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord (NIV).
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Lesson # 13 : Passing on knowledge with love
Knowledge alone doesn't make you an effective parent—It is the ability to pass that knowledge along lovingly. A child who is afraid of the dark and thinks something is hiding under the bed probably won't be convinced by an argument against the existence of monsters! They are much more likely to feel safe when you sit beside them and walk through their fears with them.
Likewise, Bible knowledge can be a weapon if it is not handled with love and care. Too often, Bible verses are presented in a way that obscures the real intent of Jesus—to show us His love. Knowledge offered with love helps the weak believer become stronger.
Talk about the Bible with an attitude of love, and your kids are more likely to receive it gratefully.
Likewise, Bible knowledge can be a weapon if it is not handled with love and care. Too often, Bible verses are presented in a way that obscures the real intent of Jesus—to show us His love. Knowledge offered with love helps the weak believer become stronger.
Talk about the Bible with an attitude of love, and your kids are more likely to receive it gratefully.
Lesson # 12 : Power through humility
Most of us get excited at the thought of raising powerful kids. We want them to be in control of their circumstances. We want them to be first in line, to take charge, and to be the one deciding who and what goes where and when. Unfortunately, the pursuit of power without humility can lead to disastrous results. Kids who seek power for its own sake can be arrogant, domineering, and disrespectful of authority.
Christians are told how to become truly powerful—by humbling themselves before the Lord. When we demonstrate the proper respect for God's authority, He allows us to be eternally influential in the lives of others.
"True greatness does not have power as its goal, but it often gains power by default." The amount of influence your child can have as an adult will be proportionate to their ability to grasp this principle as a child.
Teach your children humility and watch their influence grow
James 4:10: Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up (NIV).
Christians are told how to become truly powerful—by humbling themselves before the Lord. When we demonstrate the proper respect for God's authority, He allows us to be eternally influential in the lives of others.
"True greatness does not have power as its goal, but it often gains power by default." The amount of influence your child can have as an adult will be proportionate to their ability to grasp this principle as a child.
Teach your children humility and watch their influence grow
James 4:10: Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up (NIV).
My Apologies
Sorry for the late updates on my blogs. Its just a busy month for me. Anyways lets continue our lessons...Hope you enjoy reading once again.
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