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Prepare Your Child for the Real World

Or ... What Does the Bible Say about Parenting?

(c) 2001, 2005 Doug Britton (Permission granted to copy for personal use)

Introduction

This study is one of a series of online Bible studies on Christian parenting. It is adapted from Successful Christian Parenting: Nurturing with Insight and Disciplining in Love.

As you study the following outline, score yourself from 0 to 10 on each point.

• "0" means, "I really need to improve in this area."
• "10" means, "I'm doing great in this area."

Discipline wisely.

Discipline in love (Galatians 6:1). My rating (0-10): ____ Study

Usually use short-term punishment. My rating (0-10): ____. Study "Successful Christian Parenting" and read Ephesians 6:4 and Colossians 3:21.

Teach, do not simply punish. My rating (0-10): ____ . If you spank, click here for important information and guidelines about spanking.

Provide a slowly-loosening structure.

Actively train younger children. My rating (0-10): ____

Slowly give older children more freedom, but do not give up all your authority. My rating (0-10): ____

Do not release all your authority at once. My rating (0-10): ____

Allow your children to make choices (Genesis 2:16-17; Luke 15:11-32).

• Increase the opportunities as your children grow older. My rating (0-10): ____
• Become less "authoritative" as your children grow older. My rating (0-10): ____

Teach responsibility.

Have your children do chores (Genesis 2:15). My rating (0-10): ____

• Work with your children. My rating (0-10): ____
• Do not nag (Proverbs 10:19). My rating (0-10): ____
  Instead of nagging, set deadlines together with your children, then when the time comes, give consequences (positive or negative).
• Allow older children to help choose chores. My rating (0-10): ____

Prepare your children to deal with an ungodly culture.

As your children grow older, expose them to the real world. My rating (0-10): ____
Provide opportunities for your children to learn how to interact with people outside of your church family.  Do not be foolish, but do not be overprotective. Read 1 Samuel 16:11; 17:17-20, 33-36.

Help interpret the real world to your children.

• Warn about coming challenges. My rating (0-10): ____
• Discuss current events. My rating (0-10): ____
• Show sorrow, not disgust, for sinners. My rating (0-10): ____

Take your children with you to volunteer activities. My rating (0-10): ____

Teach your children to be ambassadors for Christ. My rating (0-10): ____
We either are influenced by others or are influencers (2 Corinthians 5:20; Ephesians 6:20).

Click below for more information on daily living

•  Successful Christian Parenting: Nurturing with Insight and Disciplining in Love

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