Devotion 5: Parents Nurture
Pastor Mitchell Holmes
As parents, we are responsible for the growth and development of our children and the way that we handle interactions with our kids is instrumental in that development. Some responses that we have may lead to immediate but short-lived behavioral changes; while others are more time consuming, but lead to long-lasting behavioral modification.
Today’s passage speaks about our responsibility to properly nurture and foster our children to love living their lives in reverent obedience of the Lord’s Word. Ephesians chapter 6, verse 4 says: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” The passage starts with a warning, stating that we must be careful not to push our children towards anger. When we are constantly critical of our children even when they try their best, are overly harsh in punishment, or place unrealistic expectations on them, we set our children up for failure and we certainly provoke them to anger.
While it may feel that this style of parenting yields quick results, it erodes trust and prevents relationship building long term. In the latter half of the verse, Paul tells parents how to bring up their children. We are called to do the work. We cannot be passive in our guidance of their young spiritual and emotional growth. This means that we must be loving, patient, kind, and involved in our children’s development. This also means that in correcting behavior, we should not to be harsh, but instead use correction as a tool for training, rooted in love and careful direction with God’s Word as the foundation.
In order for us to hold our children to the standard of God’s Word, it is important that we also be modeling it for them in the way that we live our lives.
Parents, communicate with your children that tonight, you will sit together as a family and each answer this question: “What helps you feel safe, heard, and loved in our home?”
Listen, really listen, to your children’s answers without interrupting. Take notes if needed. Then, reflect together on ways to work on increasing these areas of possible nurturing and growth while working to eliminate frustration. End the time by praying as a family, asking God to help each of you grow in love, patience, and grace.