Child Training

PREPARE HIM for his MANSION

(It’s bed time in the Evang. Mike and Mercy, Mrs. Mike, is set to help her Daughter Miracle settle down for the night.)

Mercy: Miracle, its bed time. Put away those toys and go brush your teeth.

Miracle: (Looking dismayed) But mom…

Mercy: No buts Miracle. You know the rules. (Grudgingly, Miracle puts away her toys, brushed her teeth and changed into his pajamas.) 

Mercy: Okay good girl, where are we reading tonight?

Miracle: (Bringing out his picture Bible) John 14.

Mercy: Alright, read on.

Miracle: John 14:1-2, “Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” Mom, will Jesus really give everyone a mansion?

Mercy: Not everyone, only those who believe in Him and serve Him on this earth; actually, those who make it to heaven.

Miracle: But mom, what if a billion or zillion people make it to heaven. Will every one of them get a mansion? 

Mercy: Sure! Why not!

Miracle: Mom, we’re talking about mansions here, real mansions!

Mercy: Miracle, is there anything too much for God to give or too difficult for him to do?

Miracle: I guess not.

Mercy: Then, why do you find it impossible to believe that heaven will contain zillions of mansions? Look Daughter, what you should be worried about is how to inherit one of those mansions. 

Miracle: By being born-again?

Mercy: That’s right, and remaining so till Jesus returns. 

Miracle: Mom, I really want one of those mansions.

Mercy: Then, you must obey all of God’s instructions in the Bible; not some of it, but all! No “little disobedience” or grudge (giving him a knowing look), you know what I’m talking about, don’t you? Also, be involved in the service of the Lord. Preach the gospel, and love and care for others, then you will be a proud owner of one of the heavenly mansions. 

Miracle: Do you think God would mind if I start all over again? I mean be saved again?

Mercy: I don’t think so, but He will be upset if you make it a habit.

Miracle: Okay mom, will you please pray for me?

Mercy: I will, but you should talk to God first.

Miracle: Okay (clearing his throat), Dear God, I promise not to make this a habit, but I need your salvation again. Forgive my disobedience and murmuring, wash me with the blood of Jesus, and help me to obey all your commandments so that I can get to heaven and possess the mansion you have prepared for me. Please, give my mom two mansions because she is always teaching me about heaven. Bless her in Jesus’ name, Amen (opening her eyes and stretching his body on the bed). 

Good night mom and thank you for everything you’ve done for me.

In a world filled with pain, sickness, sadness, dissatisfaction, deaths and all sorts of unpleasantness, you cannot but hunger for heaven as a Christian. You can’t feel at home on this earth because you’re only here to prepare for eternity. 

Nothing here can satisfy that deep longing to see and dwell with God forever. You’re a pilgrim, passing through this world of your true homeland. You must make adequate preparations to make it home safely, because no place is like the heavenly home.

Also, you must prepare your child for the heavenly kingdom. Tell him about heaven and hell, and make him realize, like Mercy did to her daughter Miracle in the short dialogue above, that except a person is born-again and remain righteous until he dies or Jesus returns, he won’t get to heaven. And if he misses heaven, he will miss the heavenly mansions God has prepared for those who love and serve Him faithfully here on earth, and he’ll suffer forever in hell. 

It’s not premature to teach your young child about heaven and hell. As you teach him about God and righteousness, you will also tell him the essence of knowing God and the eternal reward or repercussion for living or not living a righteous life. The word of God commands every parent to give their children a godly upbringing and prepare them for a glorious future here and hereafter (Deuteronomy 6:7-9; Proverbs 22:6). 

And when Jesus promises heavenly mansions for His followers in John 14:1-3, He includes little children, for He admonishes elsewhere, “suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16).

The heavenly kingdom is for all those who have come to Christ and live in Him daily, including your little child. Therefore, prepare him or her for its own mansion in heaven. 

BRING YOUR CHILD TO THE SAVIOUR

Children are gifts from God and are very dear to His heart (Psalm 127:3). Hence, He entrusts them to specific care of parents. As a caregiver, therefore, every parent is expected to bring up his child in the way and admonition of the Lord. 

If God loves the child He entrusts to your care so much that He has prepared a mansion for him or her in heaven, then as a parent, you must prepare the child for that mansion. You must help him or her choose whom he will serve – God or Satan (Joshua 24:15). 

In the past, children grew up in a society that clearly defined what was right and what was wrong. Parents were recognized as the primary authority figure in their children’s lives. 

Now as the world conforms, children react to the unprecedented immorality, anti-family, and anti-parent concepts in schools and the media. Today, there is much talk of children’s right to privacy and liberty, but the truth is, God still holds parents responsible for their children – to instruct and discipline them.  

Hence, you must choose who and what shapes you child’s life – perversion and lies of the world or God’s word. Lead your child to the savior early in life. Don’t see him as too young to be born-again. Mothers like Susanna Wesley and Catherine booths of the Salvation Army led their children to the Lord when they were toddlers between the ages of 2 and 3 years. Do everything humanly possible and partner with God to bring your child to the Saviour Jesus Christ. Preach Jesus to him and pray earnestly day and night for his salvation. 

INSTRUCT YOUR CHILD IN THE WAY OF THE LORD

You will like to believe that your child will make the right choices in life based on the lessons you’ve taught him at home. If he found note of money at the playground or in the classroom, for instance, what would he do with it? What sort of “measuring rod” would he apply as his benchmark for honesty? Perhaps, he would recall how you returned or didn’t return an over-paid change to a cashier.

When you instruct your child, you’re not simply presenting a list of rules for him to follow. You’re letting your “actions speak” just as your mouth speaks. Someone said,

“Parent who wish to train up their children in the way they should go, must go in the way in which they would have their children go.” 

You must show good and godly example for your child to learn. By living a godly life, you provide your child with the understanding of how God’s rules govern all our lives. Then as the child matures, he develops a habit of serving God by making right choices in life.

It is your duty as a parent to teach your child before the pastors’ or anyone else. You are the primary teacher of your kid, while the church and school both serve as secondary teachers. And if you’re a minister in church, don’t forget that you’re to teach your family first before the Church, as charity must begin at home, least the Word of god be evil spoken of. It is unfortunate today that many children have no sound basis for what they believe, and that’s why they can easily be led astray. 

You need to thoroughly expose your child to God’s word, instructing him in the way of the Lord by your word and example. 

DISCIPLINE YOUR CHILD WHEN HE DOES WRONG.

Theories on “Correct” discipline change every few years – the Bible never changes. If children to not obey, they must receive correction. The Bible teaches this should be done by using a rod of correction. Often, parents become weary in disciplining their children. At times, a typical day seems to consist of nagging and scolding. Parents wonder if they have ruined every chance for a loving relationship with their children. They may even be tempted to give up altogether. 

“Only God knows what to do with this child,” they groan. Yes, God Does! He wants you to know that kind and firm correction will train your child to obey Him (Colossians 3:20). Consistent, loving correction helps the child to learn biblical truths such as self-discipline and holy living. God knew Abraham would raise godly children and God blessed him (Genesis 18:19). By applying God’s standards, you too can receive God’s blessings as a parent.

Adopt Susanna Wesley’s parenting style by insisting on conquering your child’s self-will early. According to Susanna, “Self-will is the root of all sin and misery, so whoever cherishes this in children ensures their after-wretchedness. Whatever checks and mortifies it promotes their future happiness and piety. When we consider that religion is doing the will of God and not our own, the one grand impediment to our temporal and eternal happiness is this self-will.

Thus, no indulgence of it can be trivial, no denial unprofitable. Heaven or hell depends on this alone; so the parent, who studies to subdue self-will in his child, works together with God in the renewing and saving of a soul. 

The parent who indulges the child’s self-will does the devil’s work, makes religion impracticable, salvation unattainable, and does all that in him lies, to damn his child, soul and body forever.”

Your child must know that the reason he goes to Church is to live for God and prepare for his heavenly mansion. Hence, you should help him to live a holy life, be heavenly minded, pray and be watchful at all times. May you and your child get to heaven in Jesus name. Amen