|
Development Topics
Stay Close to Your Child
The Power of Specific Instruction
The two primary ways a parent influences
his or her child is through the power of modeling and through the power
of specific instruction. The two
go hand in hand. According to best-selling author Josh McDowell: “Rules
without relationship lead to rebellion.”
The subject of what parents should teach their children could fill many books. By far the most important instruction book is the Bible, of course. Scripture itself tells children: “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12). Conversely, the Bible tells parents: “[D]o not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Yet God never intended for the Bible to address every subject.
Take the subject of what fathers should teach their sons about how to show respect
girls and women. The subject may sound old-fashioned, but the alternative should make us shudder.
The notion that children will be self-disciplined, without specific instruction from their parents, is absurd. Yet many dads and moms today have willingly abdicated their God-given responsibility to parent. The end result? “Frustrated, irritated, and ineffectual parents and rebellious, selfish, and willful children,” says Dr. James Dobson.
Do you have thoughts, questions, advice on this topic? Post your stories and comments in the forum for other parents to respond to. Enter the forum now.
|
 |
|
