Godly Parenting

Knowing that the early years of a child (0 – 6 years) are the most impressionable ones, and that if transformation is to come to a Nation, planting seeds of godly principles into the lives of children is one way to bring about that change, led to the beginning of Kings Kid Nursery and Preschool (KKNP). The use of a Bible-based curriculum, The Abeka from Pensacola Florida, which infuses Christian truths into the different subject areas, made it possible to train children not only in academics but in godly principles. 24 years later, the fruit of those principles has become a reality in the life of my past students. Recently, I was contacted by a father of one past students Roger, who wanted to express thanks for the impact KKNP made on his child’s life. He can still recall songs about Jesus that his son was constantly singing. Today, Roger is an accomplished Pilot who speaks boldly of his faith in the Lord.

The impact of Christian education on the lives of children cannot be overemphasized. God in His wisdom, knowing what He wanted for mankind, established a framework where His commands would be obeyed. This would be the blueprint of mankind’s lifestyle. He gave the first couple a directive, “…be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth, reproducing after their own kind…” Genesis 1:27-28. This directive established the family structure - mother and father in a committed relationship raising children. Further directives were given to parents on how parenting should be done when it is to be done and the purpose of parenting His way. These directives were to be taught to children and repeated on all occasions, Deut. 6:6-9,24. His purpose was for successive generations to know and obey His Word and seek after Him with their whole hearts. This responsibility was given to the home, where parents would embrace their roles and nurture the heritage and gifts that God gave them. In doing this, prosperity and long life would come to their children and their children’s children.

However, many parents stepped away from that blueprint, living lives entwined in the world systems, shifting their focus from being the teacher/trainer to living over scheduled lifestyles, concerned primarily about their own path. Their parenting responsibilities have evolved to being more intentional in the choice of schools and extra-curricular activities, rather than being resolute about their children’s relationship with the Lord.

Consequently, children are confused about what to believe, and are ignorant of what is right or wrong. Their belief and value systems have been moulded by social media, the latest electronic gadgets, nannies, and schools that expose them to curricula that are contrary to biblical principles. These have contributed to identity confusion, created children with unmet needs, low self-esteem, and other physical influences. Despite this, parents continue to live their lives focusing on self-achievement and self-gratification while children are being cared for by “secondary parents”. in His Book before they were formed, Psalm 139:16. Parents must realize that they need to cooperate with God to bring forth that plan. To do so, they need to model a godly lifestyle. Their children need to see the reality of God in them, then using everyday examples teach them about God.

Since prayer is the lifeline of all believers, parents need to make the prayer their lifestyle too, thus teaching them to talk to God about anything. When prayers are answered, nurture their faith by sharing answers with them, finally give them the assurance of your faith in God by teaching stories from the Bible, TV, books, and life experiences to convey meaning. Parenting is a challenging role; it is not for the weak hearted. It requires commitment and a good dose of relationship-building skills coupled with the Word of God.

Since God has given us everything that pertains to life and godliness, parents have the manual to parent His way. Psalm 127:4 likened children to arrows and parents to warriors. God wants parents to ready their children through disciplining/training and looking about their best welfare, Proverbs 29: 15,17, then aim/guide them in the right direction, “…by training them in the way they should go…” Proverbs 22:6, then finally releasing them – firing them into the world with rock-like character, becoming whom God has ordained them to be. Parents let’s use God’s parenting blue print!

By June Alecia Cooper BA Guidance & Counselling Former principal of King’s Kid Nursery and Preschool