Wednesday, April 4, 2012

"Rules for Rearing Children - Part 3"

With the opportunity for Central to influence future generations through the lives of our children, I have been reminding us of a few simple rules that God sets down in the Bible. We must have a culture in our church community that breeds godliness in all of our lives. This is especially important when we talk about our children's lives.  My wife and I are raising three precious girls, and we desire them to know the Lord Jesus personally.  It is not enough for our kids to know how to live for Christ, but that they might know Him!  To do this we must:

1.  Keep Biblical traditions
2.  Live a life of obedience ourselves
3.  Make much of Jesus

The Lord Jesus Christ and the Word of God should be as much a part of our homes as eating and sleeping and bathing.  "And ye shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up" (Deut. 11:19).  We must make much of Jesus!  When we are at the ball field, or at the school, or at the dinner table, or riding in the car, Jesus must be allowed preeminence.  Hebrews 12:3 says, "For consider him..."  This phrase means "Give thought to Jesus."  What does He think about our activity, or the company we keep?  Our children ought to be filled with the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and have His mind.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if our children would say, "Sir, we would see Jesus"? (John 12:21)  They can say that because He promised, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me" (John 12:32).  Therefore, you must lift up Jesus in all of your conversation, and put Him first in every activity.  When you read the Bible, look for Jesus in every verse.  He said, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me" (John 5:39).

I'm saying, you must grow in your knowledge of Jesus and make Him preeminent in every area of your life.  Your children must learn Him, not just about Him.  Remember what Jesus said in John 15:5, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."  Let's put Christ back in Christian!

Back to top

Previous devotions

Back to top