Parenting Children

The foregoing is an adaptation from: 'Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society'

"Up until your children are 5 years old, they are in cozy family surroundings and it is easier to instill good qualities in them. But once they start school, they are exposed to different ways of doing things and different ways of speaking" - Valter, Italy.

As children grow, they explore the boundaries of thier expanding world. They interact with more people - playmates, schoolmates, and extended family. As Valter, quoted above, notes, you are no longer the sole influence in your child's life, as you were when he was an infant. That is why it is essential that you use these years to teach your child the value of obedience and good manners. It is also important to provide direction with regard to right & wrong.

The skills just described do not come quickly and intuitively. Likely, you will need to reprove, reprimand , exhort, with all long-suffering and art of teaching. Israelite parents were commanded regarding God's laws: "You must inculcate them in your son and speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up" (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7). As that scripture indicates, your ongoing instruction is vital.
The responsibility of raising children includes a number of challenges. Let us consider just a few of them.

TIME TO LISTEN

The Bible says that while there is a time to speak, there is also a time to listen. (Ecclesiastes 3:7). How can you teach your child to pay attention when others - including you - are speaking? One way is to set the example. Do you listen attentively to others, including your children?

Children can easily be distracted, and no doubt your patience will be tested as you attempt to communicate with them. Each child is different, so be observant and determine which methods of communication work best with your child. For e.g., David, a father in the UK , says: "I get our daughter to tell me in her own words what I have just said. As a result, she is listening more as she gets older."

When Jesus was instructing His disciples, He told them:"Pay attention to how you listen." (Luke 8:18). If adults need to do that, how much more so do children!

FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER FREELY

The Bible states:"Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely, if anyone has a cause for complaint against another" (Colossians 3:13). Children can be trained to develop the ability to forgive. How?

As discussed above regarding the art of listening, you need to set the example. Let your children see you display a spirit of forgiveness in your dealings with others. Marina, a mother in Russia, makes an effort to do that. "We try to set a good example for our children in forgiving others, making concessions, and not getting offended." She says, adding: "When I am wrong, I apologise to my children. I want them to learn to do the same in their dealings with others."

The ability to resolve differences and forgive will be necessary in adulthood. Train your children now to be considerate of others and to accept responsibility for their own mistakes. By doing so, you will be imparting a valuable gift that will serve them well as they grow.

SHOW YOURSELVES THANKFUL

In these 'critical times hard to deal with', many people are "lovers of themselves." (2 Timothy 3:1, 2) Now, while your children are young, is the time to instill in them a spirit of gratitude. "Show yourselves thankful," wrote the apostle Paul - Colossians 3:15.

Even while they are young, children can learn to show good manners and be thoughtful of others. How? "The best thing you can do to engender a thankful attitude is to demonstrate it tirelessly at home," Dr. Kyle Pruett tells 'Parents Magazine'. He adds: "This means that you are regularly saying how much you appreciate the help you get or other acts of thoughtfulness. It takes lots of practice.

Richard, a father in UK, strives to do that: "My wife and I demonstrate how to thank those who have been kind to us, such as schoolteachers or grandparents," he says. "Whenever we visit a family for a meal, we we write a thank-you card, and all the children sign it or draw a picture on it." Being gracious and thankful will help your child to develop lasting and close relationships in life

DO NO HOLD BACK DISCIPLINE

As your children grow, it is essential for them to learn that actions have consequences. Even at a young age, children are answerable to authority, not only in the home but also at school and in the community. You can help your children learn the principle that you reap what you sow. (Galatians 6:7) How?

The Bible teaches: "Do not hold back discipline" (Proverbs 23:13) If you have made it clear that a certain wrong act will bring a particular consequence, do not be afraid to follow through. "Consistency is vital," says Norma, a mother in Argentina. "Inconsistency encourages a child to manipulate situations according to his liking."

Parents can do much to avoid endless wrangling after a misdemeanor by making sure their children understand the consequences of disobedience beforehand. Children are less likely to resist if they know the rules and what will happen if they break those rules and if they have reason to beleve that the consequences are non-negotiable.


adapted by Vinton Samms
http://www.metrojamenterprise.com

Birth Of Christianity

Christianity began with the birth of a Jewish boy about two thousand years ago. This baby boy was miraculously created by God inside His mother's womb. His name was Jesus. This boy lived for over 30 years. His earthy father was Joseph, a carpenter and His mother Mary was a virgin. Jesus lived at Nazareth in Galilee which was a Jewish colony of the Romans. He was brought up to worship God in the Jewish way. The sacred books used were the ones now called Old Testament.

When Jesus was about 30 years old He began to preach in the synagogue. He could heal sick persons and He performed many miracles. He could also raise the dead to life again. Jesus had a special interest in children as He thought children were an example of how everyone should live.

To assist Him with His activities, He gathered twelve men from different social backgrounds. These men He called His disciples and they would follow and assit Him in His ministry. What He said and did angered many leading Jews. So He was cruelly and shamefully executed. The Jews were angry because to them, He seemed to be claiming He was God or the Son of God. The Roman rulers were irritated by His behaviour as well and feared He was leading a Jewish rebellion against their rule. He was captured after one of His disciples, Judas, had turned traitor. He however, did not fight back. He was beaten and then His execution was carried out by crucifixion. Roman soldiers nailed Him to a cross and let Him hang there until He died.

After Jesus' death and resurrection, His disciples convinced He was alive again, met in Jerusalem about AD 30. There one of them, Peter, addressed a crowd of pilgrims. Peter spoke about the good things Jesus had done through mighty works and wonders by God who had sent Him. He also rebuked the Romans for having killed Him. He assured them that Jesus was alive again and promised that anyone who repented and was baptised would receive the gift of God's spirit. Three thousand people went forward and were baptised.

The early Christian church was born. However, the religion was not always called Christianity. It was once called 'The Way' which was a movement followed by persons who believed in Jesus Christ. It included Jews as well as Gentiles (non-Jews). Today, there are more than over two billion Christians throughout the world. These Christians often differ from each other in some of their practices, beliefs and the ways they behave. They are roughly divided into different categories called denominations.


Vinton Samms
http://www.metrojamenterprise.com