{us with The Chambers @Point Lobos, CA - 2006}
When I was still in college, she shared a message on parenting to our fellowship group. I found the notes recently and would like to share it here to honor her. She also repeatedly told me that as mothers, our service began at home.
To Ibu Ruth, thank you for your love and faithful example. You have been a blessing for many, especially to me. I thank God each time I remember you. I'll see you in Heaven.
Ruth Chambers
We have to start praying for vision as parents starting from when we are single. Starting from making a habit to practice discipline in our life that way we are ready when God gave us our future mate.
1. Parenting is one of God's greatest calling
Psalm 127:3-5 " Children are a heritage from the LORD, a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate."
Teach our children that God is the source of authority, a child obey his parents because they fear the Lord.
2. Children are 3D people and need to:
a. Be cleaned and nourished
b. Have their mind, will, and emotions nourished and disciplined. The first few years is the most effective year to develop thinking ability.
c. Be spiritually fed: at a very early age teach them to fear the Lord
3. Pray for and with your children
Deuteronomy 5:16 "Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.
4. Saturate their lives with God's word if you don't regard God's word as an important you can't hope your kids will regard it as important.
5. Discipline - parents are responsible to make their children good.
Proverbs 13:24 "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him."
Proverbs 19:18 "Discipline your son, for in that there is hope;do not be a willing party to his death."
Proverbs 22:15 "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.
Proverbs 29:15, 17 "The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.
6. Be firm and immovable 1 Corinthians 15:58 " Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
7. Parents need to be united say no to unacceptable behavior even if it makes you unpopular. Children's stability depends on parents - mean what you say and do what you say! Parents are responsible of the development of their children.
