The Lord has honored parents with a sacred trust to raise children after the likeness and image of Himself. The challenge is faithfulness to do it right from the beginning. 

To strengthen and maintain this sacred calling of parenthood, some improvement methods need to be studied.

Mechanically, when things do not function properly, instructions from the manufacturer’s handbook are applied. In the mechanical and technical world there is power awareness in various categories. The presence or absence of power greatly affects our travel, housekeeping, occupation, and other areas of life. In the twentieth century new powers surfaced, to which many of us have connections. It is also desirable to acquire connections with the power source for correcting malfunction in the parenting vocation.

The Biblical source is that it seemed good to St. Luke, “...having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write...that thou mightest know the certainty of those things...” (Luke 1:3, 4) Parenting: A Priority is based on words spoken by the angel, Gabriel, who appeared to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, when his upcoming birth was announced. Gabriel said that John the Baptist “...shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children... to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:17) Luke records events to supplement the other three Gospels. The meditations of many on his declaration would create “perfect understanding” for effectual parenting.

Considering that the angel Gabriel was the first messenger from God in the New Testament, child training seems very important. This was a special assignment to Zacharias, for bringing up his son according to the specific prophecy of the angel, Gabriel. Should we not count it a special priority to bring our sons and daughters up "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" today? (Eph. 6:4b)

This is a special message for parents, especially fathers, who are visualized as forerunners of Jesus Christ in families, “to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:17)

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Language

English

Author

Ivan M. Nolt

Publisher

Weaverland Mennonite Publications

Topics

Child Training

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