We are a privileged people in having the responsibility of bearing and bringing up children. Where do we stand in the nurturing and caring of those precious little ones? Do we like the disciples of old, rebuke them or like the eager mothers of Salem bring them to our Lord Jesus Christ?
‘He called them unto HIM’, ‘set a child in the midst of them’ (Matt. 18:2) and urged that they be as little children. This brings into focus our Lord’s knowledge of a child for his intrinsic value, hence He makes a little child an example to the others. In verse 4 of Matt. 18 Jesus says, “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child”; thus, highlighting this quality of humility and yet keeping in mind the simple trust, forgiving spirit, forthrightness, and complete dependency on adults, a child has.
As mothers we need to take them up in all their simplicity and bring them up according to the Scriptures, training them up eventually for the high calling of our GOD. We read “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6).
To begin with we must know GOD, know His word, love HIM and live for Him from day-to-day so that our example to children outweighs our words.
The only way in which a baby learns at first is by touch, then by seeing and hearing, and after these stages comes learning verbally. Therefore, a mother who handles her baby gently, giving heed patiently to his various needs has already made headway in preparing her child to grow up gently and patiently. As children watch grownups carefully, they learn, what we say. How careful we ought to be in the way we walk and talk! When we manifest the savour of our loving Lord by the working of His Holy Spirit in us then only can we be good examples at home.
In Matt. 18 Jesus says (1) Be converted (2) Be humble (3) Receive like a child, then and then alone can we enter the Kingdom of Heaven. In other words our evangelising scheme must begin at home.
It is absolutely essential that we teach God’s word to our children while they are young, as a daily routine, more so as a practical guide to their lives. Children have a good memory and enjoy repetition hence memorising is not an arduous task for them. God’s word commands it in Exo. 6:7 “Thou shalt teach the word of God diligently unto thy children”. Along with the teaching of scripture will come prayer and praising God. Children are happy by nature hence we need to encourage them to channel this overflowing joy to spontaneous praising of their creator.
In our home we conduct family prayers after breakfast; at this time we learn one verse of a hymn daily, thus learning, the whole hymn by Saturday. Our boys enjoy repeating their memory verses to the family. Why not try this in your home too?
The Bible has much to say about training up a child.
Remember mothers, you and I need to depend entirely on our Lord Jesus Christ so as to bring up our children for His Glory.
-Mrs. Lalitha Reuben