BE FAITHFUL TO THE END

Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Ephesians 6:1-6; Luke 2:41-52

Introduction

Parenting is basically raising the young ones under some moral, ethical, social, spiritual, etc. norm. Research has proven that parenting is not strictly about biological relationships but the act of bringing up the young ones to be responsible members of society. These are parenting types that are practiced;

1. Permissive: parenting that is lenient, low expectations, avoids confrontation, few rules, and nod-directive. "You're the boss all the way".

2. Authoritative: parenting that is responsive, reciprocal, sets clear standards, democratic, assertive, and flexible with high expectations from their wards. "Let's talk about it".

3. Uninvolving: parenting that is passive, competing priorities, uninterested, spends little time, neglectful, absent yet present. "You're on your own".

4. Authoritarian: parenting that has little warmth, autocratic, structured environment, punishment, emotionally distant, higher expectation, clear rules to follow. "Do this because I say so!".

Studies have shown that children from authoritative parents are highly sociable and intelligent. On the other hand, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolving parenting types produce children who exhibit diverse personalities.

If children are not born with a specific way of life as we read from Proverbs 22:6 "Train up the child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it", then parenting is the very shape and colour the child takes whiles growing up. If parenting goes well, society will rejoice and vise versa.

God explained why He chose Abraham and made His mindset known to him saying, "For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.”" Genesis 18:19 (NIV). You will therefore agree with me that, Abraham became a choice because of the role to parent his descendants and household to take after God.

Parenting at the heart of God, He sent an angel to Manoah and his wife to lecture them on how to raise their child upon their request. "Then Manoah prayed to the LORD: “Pardon your servant, Lord. I beg you to let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born.”" Judges 13:8 (NIV). How many of us as parents do ask God to show us how to bring up the children He brings our path. The request also endorses the fact that each child is unique and must be acknowledged as such. 

God instructed the people of Israel to parent their wards in His commandments (in the light). The instruction is to do it at all times; talk to them at home and on the way, during sleep time, and wake-up time. God wants our nurturing to be so obvious to avoid excuses so He says, tie them on the hands, foreheads, on doorposts, and on gates. God actually cares about the way we parent our children since godly parenting is indispensable in the proper upbringing of the child (Deut. 6:7-9).

Hannah, Samuel's mother nurtured him for about 12 years before taking him to Eli. The Bible testifies how he grew up saying, "And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with people." 1 Samuel 2:26 (NIV). Godly parenting made the difference between the boy Samuel and the sons of Eli. Eli failed to restrain his children, that is bad parenting (1 Sam. 3:13). Note that God is going to judge every bad parenting act we exhibit. 

The boy Jesus humbled Himself for godly parenting as we read from Luke 2. Verse 51 and 52 sum up His growth as "...he [Jesus] went down to Nazareth with them [parents] and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Luke 2:51, 52 (NIV).

It is evident here that just like Samuel, without good parenting Jesus may have lost His focus, direction, and purpose in life on earth.

A quick scan into the Bible, people are introduced to and known by their parents as "...the son of..." David with boldness to fight and defeat Goliath, King Saul wanted to know him, his question was, “Whose son are you, young man?...” 1 Samuel 17:58 (NIV). Timothy's faith is known to have been upon him through parenting, "I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." 2 Timothy 1:5 (NIV)

Parenting as the definition puts it, does not mean having children, but the act of raising the young into responsible people for God and society. It involves one who intentionally seeks to influence another's life positively. So the Bible directs, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”" (Ephesians 6:1-3 NIV) A well-living life with full age on earth is one with godly parenting.

Studies have shown that children are born 'tabula rasa' and ready to imbibe what the immediate environment gives. This is indicative that if the child is nurtured in the light of Christ, she/he will remain under light and love [bae] the light since that is what she/he has been founded on.

Parenting the child in the light is a call to parents and all older folks to be in the light and keep shining in order to nurture others on the same path. Paul counsels, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope..." (Ephesians 4:2-4 NIV)

Our society is bedeviled with murder, corruption, theft, back-biting, profanity, nudity, LGBTQIAA+, injustice, bribery, liars, sakawa, drug addiction, prostitution, alcoholics, and so on. Reflecting on the fact that none of these people brought this behaviour from the womb, these are the results of how they have been parented. No one is born good or bad, parenting is the foundation of what we become. 

As children of the light, we must make it our priority to nurture every individual that comes our way in life to be with the light, live in the light, and reflect the light.

As teachers, the pupils and students we teach must be nurtured to discover the light and love to be in the light amidst the challenges.

Being in the judiciary, legislature, or executive arm of government, we must seek to speak and adjudicate issues as children of the light.

As civil servants, let us seek to reflect the light we have received in the offices we hold and pursue, for this all people will know God and honour Him.

Let your light so shine before men. Traders, journalists, footballers, drivers, businessmen and women, medical personnel, labourers, artisans, etc. God has placed the responsibility of the society in our care, let us parent them in the light of Christ.

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4 NIV) The father here represents any elderly who is influencing any young one. Bring them up in the light of Christ.

Conclusion

Precious one, your actions and inactions must at every point in time reflect the light since one young person may be watching from a distance to build on it.

Shalom aleichem...