The Baptist Pillar © Brandon Bible Baptist Church 1992-Present www.baptistpillar.com
"...The church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."
I Timothy 3:15
ABC’s of Raising Children
A is for Accountability.
Hold your children accountable for their behavior.
Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
B is for Boundaries.
Set specific limits, and make clear the repercussions if those limits are exceeded.
C is for Consistency.
Hold to the same principles and practices.
Rom 2:21-22 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
D is for Discipline.
Make the punishment fit the crime. Never discipline in anger.
Prov 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
E is for Example.
Children are in greater need of models than critics. Set a good example.
John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
F is for Forgiveness.
Practice it and teach the importance of forgiving.
Mat 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
G is for Giving.
Teach the joy of giving, not only to family and friends, but to strangers in need.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
H is for sense of Humor.
Keep your sense of humor. Promote laughter with your children.
Prov 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
Prov 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
I is for Imagination.
Be creative, and play with your children. Read and sing with them.
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
J is for Justice.
Be fair, and insist that they be fair, also.
Col 3:24-25 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
K is for Knowing your children's friends and their parents as well as their teachers.
L is for Listening.
Listen to your children. It will teach them how to listen to others, and their thoughts will give you insights.
James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
M is for Morals.
Be sure your own standard of conduct is sound.
1 Pet 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
N is for No.
Use it, and mean it.
Exodus 20. "Thou shalt not...."
O is for Over-reacting.
Give the kid a brake. Be firm, but don't act as if the world is coming to an end. Remember that they are, but flesh.
Psa 78:39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.
P is for Pressure.
Reduce the pressure on your children, but insist they maintain high standards.
Phil 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Q is for Questions.
Pay close attention to their questions and give simple answers unless they demand more.
1 Pet 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
R is for Respect.
Show respect, teach respect and earn respect.
Eph 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
Eph 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
S is for Source of Strength.
Share your own faith or beliefs with your children. Faith can be their port in the storms of life later.
Deu 6:6-8 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
T is for Togetherness.
Have special, designated times to be together as a family--but know when to let go,too.
U is for Uniqueness.
Understand the uniqueness of each child, and let that child be who he or she is.
V is for Voice.
Tone of voice can convey more to a child than the words spoken.
Prov 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
W is for Words.
Keep your word. Promises broken destroy trust.
Eccl 5:5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
X is for examine.
Examine constantly and be aware.
Y is for You.
Take care of yourself mentally, physically and spiritually. A happy parent helps a child to be happy.
Z is for Zowie!
Who would have thought they would grow up so quickly?