The Negative
How we treat our kids affects them (surprise). If we constantly put them down, nag them, or are overly harsh in our discipline, we can provoke them to anger and cause them to be discouraged. Yes, all kids will get angry at their parents at times, but by showing them compassion (and with them maturing some), they will move past that and see the wisdom and love in what was done. When we mistreat them, they just become perpetually angry and discouraged.
The Positive
God’s way is different. Like He does for us, God wants us to lift up and encourage our children. We are to teach them about the Lord and encourage them in the faith. Notice, this still includes discipline, but it’s loving discipline intended to teach and strengthen.
When we do this, our children can grow up to know and love the Lord. They can grow up to be wise and love their parents.
Dads, You Count…A Lot
Sitcoms, for a long time, disparaged fathers. They were shown to be idiots and unable to raise their kids. Thankfully, I’ve seen this trend starting to change. The truth is fathers are extremely important (and capable) in the raising of their kids, especially when it comes to teaching them about Jesus.
In fact, a European study, “The Demographic Characteristics of the Linguist and Religious Groups in Switzerland” found,