God’s divine nature revolves around the family, comprising parents and children (Genesis 1:27-28). The family is an embodiment and the basis of the perpetuation of God’s rule among humanity. This means children need to be raised in line with God’s vision and perspective, because the family is God’s idea and origin. This means the family should play a great role in shaping the individual and society as the basic foundation of love, support, and growth.
God commanded that families be raised according to His Word, with each generation taking responsibility to pass on God’s culture. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 emphasizes that God’s commandments should be written on every heart and impressed upon every child. We are to talk about them when we sit at home, walk on the road, lie down, and rise. This means that knowledge of God should start at the family level and be consistently taught and preached.
Divine parenting involves nurturing and guiding a child based on the foundational values of God. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not depart from it.” This is a parental mandate to establish a strong foundation in a child’s formative years, creating a lasting impact that will guide them throughout their lives. This involves imparting spiritual guidance on righteousness and wisdom, shaping a child’s moral values and character. As a result, their future decisions will be influenced by the values and principles learned during childhood. Therefore, parents should prioritize their children’s spiritual development, fostering lifelong growth, wisdom, and faith.
Proverbs 29:17 further instructs parents to discipline their children so that they will give them peace and delights that parents desire. This is because discipline helps shape the character and prepares the child to face the future with God’s purpose.
Children should be rebuked with love, patience, and wisdom. Proverbs 13:24 encourages the use of discipline, not as a form of punishment, but as an act of care. It says, “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.” This means that withholding discipline or correction from a child is a sign of neglect, as discipline helps guide a child in making better choices and developing self-control and direction.
A child has the responsibility of respecting and responding to their parents’ discipline, which is a divine mandate from God to train and instruct. Ephesians 6:4 reminds us, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” As parents, let us strive to fulfill our divine mandate to nurture our children according to God’s way.
