Want to make an impact with your life? Be a godly parent.

As parents, we need to understand that God purposely entrusted our children to us. God gave us parents, grandparents, godparents, and spiritual parents the responsibility to care for our children. He could have given them to anyone out of the billions of people in the world but He gave them to us. God entrusted you! He expects you to look after them, love them and raise them with discipline and instruction about the Lord(Ephesians 6:1-4).

The enemy has attacked the children of the world with confusion, fear, anxiety, hopelessness, depression, mental illness, and anti-Christ agendas. He has bombarded them through television, movies, music, social media, news, and school curriculums …Why? because  What you repeatedly hear, you eventually believe. The enemy has tried to control the narrative for so long because he wants to control the future. He wants to steal our children’s future but God has another plan. Because of this onslaught by the enemy our children have become sceptical about the future. They are worried about the future; global warming; asteroids; world wars; pandemics, economic instability, etc. Many young people suffer from anxiety and depression. Many don’t even want to get married or have any kids because they don’t want to bring children into such a dark world. Some don’t even want to live anymore. What’s the point? They feel doomed. They don’t believe that they can make a difference.  This is a sad situation. What deception, what lies!

We have to change the narrative in order to change what today’s kids believe. Today’s kids need to hear what God has to say about their future found in His word. God is changing the narrative at this hour and He needs our help. What we believe is how we will act. We act on what we believe. If we believe that we can then we will, but if we believe we can’t then we won’t even try. Our children can only become what they can imagine and believe therefore we must remove them from these limiting environments, and limiting narratives. We as parents have to guard what our children hear. God is our kid’s greatest cheerleader, not their loudest critic. Our children need to know their value and purpose. They need to know that God is real and that He loves them very much. Our children’s future is bright!

 God gave you and me an extremely important job to do. Bringing up a child according to God is more than providing their basic necessities like food, shelter, and clothing. Raising a child includes teaching them about God and His ways. If we don’t do this part then we aren’t doing a good job. Listen to this timely teaching as Natalie outlines the characteristics of a godly parent.

The characteristics of a godly parent:

Everyone has a parent whether good or bad, present or not, involved or not. Our interactions with our parents have a profound effect on us for our entire lives. Studies have shown that it affects everything from IQ to income levels, graduation rates to incarceration rates, self-image, self-confidence, and our relationships.

1. A godly parent teaches.

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, so that even when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

2. A godly parent is a role model to emulate.

Children may fail to do what you say, but they rarely fail to do what you do. Their little eyes are always watching you. Your actions speak louder than your words. Live your life in such a way that it becomes a role model for your children to emulate.

Titus 2:7-8 “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”

Proverbs 20:7 “The righteous walks in his integrity-blessed are his children after him.”

3. A godly parent disciplines his children.

 The “D” word is very unpopular these days however, God the Father disciplines us out of love. He is our role model. If God disciplines us then we should also discipline our children. Discipline should be fair, and consistent, not provoke anger, nor be abusive. Children do not know what is good for them and need some boundaries to help them develop into the person God created them to be. As parents, we have this amazing opportunity to help steer our children down a successful path in life.

Proverbs 3:12 For the Lord reproves whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

4. A godly parent loves his children.

A godly parent loves his children and desires the best for them. Love is presence and time. Children need you to be both physically and emotionally present in their lives. Children don’t need you to buy them things, they need to know that they are so precious and important to you that you would spend your most valuable asset with them, your time.

1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love.

5. A godly parent prays.

To be a godly parent, you need God’s help. None of us are perfect parents; we are all works in progress. You were never supposed to do it on your own. Parenting is a partnership with God. He will help you. God will give you the strength, wisdom, and knowledge to be the best parent that you can be. Out of your love for your children, you should pray for them and with them. Teach your children how to pray and pray with them. If prayer is important to you then it will be important to them. Pray that your children grow up to follow God and trust in Him. Pray for yourself, that you would be a good parent.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

In conclusion, the job description of a godly parent includes; Teach your children. Live out what you teach. Correct them when they stray. Do everything out of love. Pray continually. The world needs godly parents and your children need you to be one.

If you are struggling with the responsibility and role of parenting, book a coaching session with Natalie to find clarity, and perspective, and remove any hindrances so you can be the best parent that you can be.