Role of a Parent

In TFNJ I'm learning how to be a teacher. I didn't realize how much the role of a parent effects that of the teacher.

God has a special annointing for the family. God thought up family and he has given us all of the instructions that we need to make it function properly in the bible.

I'm learning all about home-discipline, home-government, home-example, home-education and so much more. I never knew just how important the role of a parent is until two weeks ago when I started learning all about what the bible has to say about it.

The majority of a child's character is formed in his/her home. Parents are forming the next great leader, or Mother Theresa, or brilliant doctor or lawyer. No one and nothing can replace the important role of a parent in shaping their children's character and destiny. Along with this comes great responsibility. If we see that on the one hand we could form the next great leader then imagine what kind of person could be formed on the opposite extreme. A child learns so much at home, whether there is actually conscious studying being done or not. Yound children are the most vulnerable and moldable people. They absorb any information you give them, and they watch others very closely. Whether parents know it or not they are affecting their children...whether positively or negatively.

A child is a good reflection of what is going on in the home and of the parents character. A child learns so much just by example. Parents should be the number one role model for their children. And parents' role model should be Jesus Christ. Parents can teach their children so much just by doing. Just by reading their bible and praying, they are teaching their children to do the same. And children are very capable of understanding the bible!

Home definitely has it's own government; it consists of an authority and the children who are subordinate to that authority. Parents are given their authority from God to take care of the children. In fact parents are mere stewards of their children, God has given them stewardship over HIS children. With this stewardship comes responsiblities, duties, roles and authority. These can all be abused or misused and it's up to the parent to ensure that they properly steward their children towards godly character.

The authority is often abused in two major ways: 1)parental despotism 2)parental libertinism.
1. A parent who is so severe and strict with their child is not doing him any good. God is our perfect example of a loving Father, and he disciplines, but he does it out of love, not revenge or to see his subordinate in misery. He knows what's best and when we're not doing what's best for us he wants us to know it. This should be the same for parents. If a parent is so severe that the child is only obeying out of trembling fear, when the child gets older he will most likely rebel and do all that he can to have liberty from the family and any sort of authority.
2. A parent who doesn't have any rules for his child is not looking out for the best for his child either. Even if they think that they are loving their child and this is why they don't punish them, in the end the child will be running the household. And just as bad as not having rules is having them and making threats but not following through with them. The child will completely take advantage of the parent. They will grow up to be lawless.

Home is the first place where children should be learning about God and being shaped into wonderful godly men and women, who will become wonderful citizens. Satan has attacked the family and done so much to destroy it, but let's take it back!!! The reason Satan wants to destroy it is because he knows how effective it can be when it's functioning how God intended it to. I am not a parent myself, but I just want to encourage parents not to take their role lightly. As a future teacher, I know that what you're developing right now in your children will greatly effect my role as a teacher. I will be able to tell when a child is being brought up in a good, loving home. Spend time with your kids telling them about God and all that He's done in your life. Read and study the bible and other books together. Pray together, have devotions together. Play together...teach your children all that they need to know to become the wonderful people that you want them to be! Believe me your children will look back and thank you for it one day!!!

Blessings, Kristen