A Father’s Parenting Formula

How do I convert Fahrenheit to Celsius? Let’s see. The formula I learned in
science class was pretty simple—first subtract 32, then multiply by 5, and finally
divide by 9. But wait, I need to go the other way. How do I do that? Well, first
I add . . . no, multiply. . . . It’s confusing. This would be easier if I knew
the concept behind the formula!

Formulas—standard procedures—are necessary in almost every endeavor. We often
hear helpful “formulas” in church, and the Bible itself gives many summary principles
to direct our thoughts and behavior, such as the Ten Commandments, Proverbs,
and the Golden Rule. But if we teach our children lists of dos and don’ts without
the bigger picture—“the whole counsel of God” behind them (Acts 20:27)—they
can get off track like the Pharisees did.

For example, sometimes people use the Golden Rule, Jesus’s summary of the Law
in Matthew 7:12, to argue that we should never judge others. But God says we
are to “judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24). Clearly, God wants us to
judge according to His standard and not according to our own sinful nature.

It is vital to teach our children how to build all their thinking on God’s Word.

So it is vital to teach our children how to build all their thinking on God’s
Word. When they see how all the so-called rules and formulas fit together within
the bigger picture of the Creator and His saving work through Jesus Christ,
the “living” Word really does come to life (Hebrews 4:12). Then they will be
“ready to give a defense to everyone who asks a reason for the hope” they have
(1 Peter 3:15).

The history revealed in Scripture, from creation in six literal days to Adam’s
sin, the whole sweep of God’s dealings with sinners up until Christ’s death
and Resurrection, and the spread of His church, is at the core of that defense.
Helping them understand this history of God’s work will equip them to defend
their faith, even to their own inner doubts.

But even if we’ve done all the right things—teaching our children the key verses
and doctrines and explaining the big picture behind them, that doesn’t guarantee
they will trust God. There is a third step in the “formula” of child rearing:
we can do all the planting and watering, but we must remember the results are
up to God.

The biblical “formula” for raising children includes constant prayer for them,
patience, and love, but every person is responsible for his own response. We
cannot force our children to accept the Savior (John 6:44); we can bring them
to the door of the Ark of salvation, but we can’t push anyone through it.

As we follow God’s child-rearing “formulas” for helping our children see their
need of salvation and defend their faith, we need a big measure of humility.
That’s why Peter commands us to defend our faith “with meekness and fear” as
we “sanctify the Lord God in [our] hearts,” recognizing that we depend on God,
who alone can draw others—including our children—to Himself.

SourceThis article originally appeared on answersingenesis.org

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