Loving Our Children
Lesson 4
When we chose to homeschool I remember hearing the argument from some that a child must not be sheltered. That is the way they would learn and "keeping them in a bubble" would be dangerous. I was told that our children were to be missionaries in the public school setting. I wrestled for a long time with this, worrying that I would raise weak children who could not stand up under hardships in life. I thought even the young saplings are protected from the cold until they are strong enough to withstand the harsh wind and sun.
It wasn't until I learned how inspectors are trained to recognize counterfeit money that I formed my strong stance on this subject.
A person being trained to recognize counterfeit bills never studies the counterfeit. They only study the real thing. Because when you are confident on the true and real item, you can recognize the fake every time!
I became convinced that if I train my children in what is true, they would never have trouble recognizing what is false.
In Titus 2:5 the Bible instructs women to encourage the younger women to be workers at home. Some translations say keepers at home. The Greek word used here means more than just a domestic worker, This word gives the thought of one who manages and guards the home. The woman's role is stewardship of the affairs of the home. We are charged with being the ones who guard and protect.
Protect from what? You may ask. In Proverbs 31 we can read about attributes of a wife of noble character.
She is more precious than rubies.
Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She is industrious and is not lazy.
She contributes to the prosperity of the family.
She makes sure everyone is safe and secure within her household and does not fear for the future.
She is dignified and talks with kindness and wisdom.
Her husband and children bless her.
Proverbs also says, "She carefully watches everything in her household.
This certainly refers to the physical aspects of the household but the ending verses in chapter 31 speak to the responsibility we have to guard the spiritual health of the family as well.
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."
As moms we are the first ones who pour into our children. We are the first ones to help our children form their world view. We are the first people to teach our little ones. So much of the foundation of character is formed in first few years of life. Helping our children develop the character of Christ is a huge responsibility and I believe it is part of guarding the home.
It is our job to protect our family form the lies of the Devil. It becomes a battle of the mind. Just like a scanner checks everything and everyone boarding a plane, we must be like the TSA agents inspecting all that comes into our homes. All the ideas, thoughts, and teachings that enter our families hearts and minds must be evaluated by us, the keepers of the home.
2 Corinthians 10: 3-6
"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is complete."
HOW IS THIS DONE?
1) We must be willing to fight this battle in our own mind first. Satan has filled this world with so many thoughts that are opposed
to the ways of the Lord. We can be tossed every which way by philosophies, myths, and ideologies.
Ephesians 4: 14-15
"then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speek the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of His body, the church."
The choice to make Jesus the Lord of your life causes us to draw a line in the sand. Fully committing to the Lord compels us to follow His word alone. We then immerse ourselves in the word of God, the truth and find our standard for living in His instructions. As we study the true, we then can easily recognize what is false.
2) We must practice every day taking our thoughts captive. As we are confronted with conflicts and ideas we have to line everything up against scripture to see if it is trustworthy or not. If an idea contradicts the truth of scripture we must eject it, no matter how good it may sound.
This may be difficult as a new christian. The more you study the word of God, the easier it becomes. When we make the choice to be baptized into Christ we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. He helps us discern what is of God and what is against the Word. Lean into the Spirit and trust Him to guide your thoughts.
3) As we train our children, guide them to do the same. As they face choices in life sit with them and talk about what the Bible says about the situation. always point them to doing things according to the scriptures. Take every opportunity to talk about God's desire for us to be: OBEDIENT, KIND, FORGIVING, LOVING, PURE, JOYFUL, HONEST, SACRIFICIAL, PRAYERFUL, FAITHFUL, TRUSTWORTHY, REPENTANT, SELF-CONTROLED, PEACEFUL, PATIENT, GENTLE, GENEROUS, ETC
4) Be aware of what is entering your home via television, social media, books, magazines, etc. Have open conversations with all the family about what they are experiencing and what they are hearing from friends, teachers, and other family members. Be vigilant in scrutinizing it all. Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to the influences that can be harmful to the family.
5) Take time to develop a mission statement for your family. Identify the values that you as a family will commit to. Print it out and post it. And when anyone deviates from the family values you can remind that person of the mission statement. For example, if a child is struggling with lying, you can say,"Remember, we value honesty in our family so lying is not acceptable. And God is not pleased with lying."
6) Develop consequences for opposing the Godly values you have adopted in the family. Make sure the Word of God is taken seriously within your family, irregardless of what other families and friends may be doing. It is important to have a no compromise policy within your family. Trust me! It may be hard now and children may push back on these expectations but they will be grateful for them later in life. I have heard many times from parents of older children how their children come back and thank them for the strong, no compromising stance they took.
"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!" Joshua 24:15
I was once struggling to obey the will of God and fought Him for several years. I would not recommend fighting with God, nevertheless I was. I was miserable because I knew
god was asking me to do something but I did not want to do it. I was distraught and went to talk to a friend seeking advice. She asked me, "Are you convinced that this is God's will for your life?" I replied. "yes." She then said one of the most terrifying things I have ever heard. She lovingly said, "If you are convinced that this is God's will and you refuse to do it, then you are being the vehicle that is allowing Satan into your home."
PRAISE GOD FOR FAITHFUL FRIENDS!"
That was the last thing I ever wanted to be; a vehicle for Satan in my family! I was not guarding my home and I was the potential danger. I obeyed God and even though the obedience was difficult at times, God blessed me for it.
Don't ever underestimate the value of being the keeper of the home. Take this seriously. You can be the difference between peace and turmoil. Guarding your children and seeing them thriving in the Lord is a true blessing to a mama's heart
STUDY QUESTIONS
1 Are your expectations for your children clear?
2 What are the values you feel are mot important?
3 Where can you be more consistant within your family?