January 2024 | Conversion: Persecutor Turns Promoter

Train ... in God’s Way
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Train ... in God’s Way

Pr. Abraham Philipose

An undisciplined generation is the fundamental mistake of this age. Has the new psychology and teaching methodology spoiled a generation in the Western world? This theory slowly penetrating of the third world countries. Spanking a child is barbaric and uncivilized way of discipline a child, says the modern thinkers, so the rod is spared and the whole world is suffering its consequences. A new generation without any respect and responsibilities has been created. The result is alarming; the crime rate is rising among youths. We have seen more than 5 juvenile murder cases in our small Kerala state alone last year.  Insulting the opposite sex is highest in Kerala compared to other states in India. In the western world, shooting happens regularly in colleges. The whole materialistic concept and unhealthy competition created in the mind of our children resulted in hate which in turn is now overflowing in the form of crime. The electronic media and entertainment also are encouraging the new generation to terrorism and other extremist actions.

Generation Gap

A father while encouraging his son to score more marks in exams said, “do you know George Washington at your age scored A+ ?". Son responded like this “Dad, when he was at your age he was the president of United States". The story sounds humorous, but it points that the new generation thinks and acts sharply and express their views openly. 

I heard once a preacher saying “The main reason our young people rebel today is because the adults allow it". Modern parents do not give children responsibilities. They protect and pamper them,  in due course spoil the children. In the Bible we see Eli spoiled his children by pampering them and not correcting them. "Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belli -al they  knew not the Lord"  I Samuel 2: 12.

Modern psychologists and educators created a generation without fear of God and crime rate and juvenile problems are in rise. The Commandments of Old Testaments are out-dated to the modern thinkers. But Bible is the only book that clearly deals with the parenting relevant for any generations.

“Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right ‘Honour your father and mother'.which is the first commandment, and it comes with a promise – that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earths" Eph :6:1.

“The eye that mocks a father, that scorns obedience to a mother, will be picked out by ravens of the vally “ Prov :30:17.

Modern parents should understand Old Testament parenting; teach the young that the commandment to honour parents is unique from the nine other commandments .

Authority from God

The authority to discipline our children is given to us by God. Children are placed under their parents authority, mom and dad must come under the authority of God. Jesus told mothers to lament over their disobedient children.

Biblical Parenting

Eph :6:4  “And ye fathers , provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture  and admonition of the Lord". Bible instructed fathers, to discipline the child. normally mothers spend more time with their children and get opportunity for instructing and teaching their children. And God holds fathers accountable for the nurture of children.

1 Timothy :3: 4-5 : "One that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection, with all gravity. For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of God's church?"

Care of the Church of God 

Many fathers have been given responsibility of disciplining as Sunday School teachers and pastors. But Bible gives it to parents especially to fathers. “These Commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children" Deut :6:6.

 “Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road" Deut :6:7.

 Teaching children by example , is the modern concept, Children learn more by what we do than by what we Say – Our life speaks louder than our words .

 "He who spares the rod hates his son but he who loves him is careful to discipline him" Proverbs :13:24. In other words love is an outward expression of disciplining.

Heb :12:6-7. "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening God death with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the fatherChasteneth not".

 If we as parents, do not discipline our children, then we are ignoring the teaching of Gods word. Through Christian parenting let God help us to bring up a new Godly generation.

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