Someone once remarked, “If we had paid no more attention to our plants than we have to our kids we would now be living in a jungle of weeds.” I sometimes wonder if some parents do indeed pay any attention to their children. There are many homes today which resemble jungles of weeds, instead of gardens. The news is full of horror stories isn’t it. Even kids know there is something wrong. When I spoke with the kids at children’s time last Sunday, at least the older ones knew exactly where I was going with my story. They know. . .children know that they are not always receiving the positive attention they need. And need it they do. It has been said that children learn from their environment even already in infancy, but especially in their formative years between 1 or 2 years old, and 14 -15. What they have learned in those crucial years will manifest itself in either positive or negative behaviour. Said in an other way, they will behave either in a good way, or a bad way.

We are not talking about the traditional “sowing some wild oats” here. I am talking about unacceptable behaviour; behaviour that goes beyond the rules of society, the morals of society, and the acceptance of society. I grant you that society’s standards today are probably about as low as they have ever been in the history of mankind, so there isn’t much to live up to, but there is still acceptable behaviour and unacceptable behaviour.

Today I want offer some biblical principles that parents can, and should use, as they teach their children to live as members of our society. It should be understood that I believe this to be a parental responsibility. . .not a day care worker’s. It is not the responsibility of a school teacher. They already have more than enough to do with the many other expectations that are being piled on them. It is not a Grand Parent’s responsibility, although speaking for myself, and maybe some of you as well, I sure would like to get involved. Sometimes we think our children are just not strict enough with their’s. They sure weren't raised the way they raise their kids. On the other hand though, sometimes I do feel sorry for you parents for according to Mother Murphy's Law the stricter you are with your children, the harder grandparents work at spoiling them. That isn’t always the case of course, sometime it’s just the opposite. Yet, again, it is the parents who must accept the responsibility.

To bring ups a child in this almost amoral society is a tremendous responsibility. There is no bigger job than that of being a faithful and dedicated parent. It is no doubt the most important job one can ever have. And it must be done carefully and prayerfully, and very intentionally. It cannot be left to chance. A brokenhearted mother whose children were in constant trouble, once confessed to a Pastor that she had spent more time training her pet dog, then her children. Teach a child in the way he or she should go!

There are many tragedies when it comes to children. There are thousands of runaway kids who ran away from homes where little parental love and concern was shown. Many kids go to school in the morning with no breakfast, because parents have no time to feed them. Kids often arrive at school before eight AM because their parents need to go to work. Almost all of the existing juvenile delinquency is due to parental neglect, or what I would call negative stimuli, which simply means not only a lack of love, but a lack of respect, and constant nitpicking. O:
Take a moment to listen today,
To what your children are trying to say;
Listen todaywhatever you do
Or they won't be there to listen to you.
Listen to their problems, listen for their needs,
Praise their smallest triumphs, praise their smallest deeds;
Tolerate their chatter, amplify their laughter,
Find out what's the matter, find out what they're after.
But tell them that you love them, every single night
And though you scold them, be sure you hold them;
Tell them "Everything's all right;
Tomorrow's looking bright!"
Take a moment to listen today
To what your children are trying to say;
Listen today, whatever you do
And they will come back to listen to you.

Add to this the Scripture from Colossians: “Parents, do not irritate you children or they will become discouraged.”

Today of course is traditionally known as Mother’s Day, a day to honour mothers was first observed many years ago in England, coming to North America already in 1872. It is for good reason that mothers have been honoured over the years. Traditionally, it has always been the mother who provided the nurturing care for the children, while the father went out to work, or worked the farm. These days of course that has changed, with both parents working outside the home. The only thing that has not changed as statistics will show, is that the teaching and nurturing is still mostly left the mother. So she is quite often doing a great balancing act by trying to maintain a career, and at the same time take the bulk of the responsibility for the children.

Why is the Bible so interested in children? Perhaps I should rephrase that question. Why is he Bible so interested in the family? Well, God has predetermined the family structure as we know it, and one of its primary purposes is for the training of children. Proverbs 22:6 clearly shows parental responsibility. Train up a child in the way he/or she should go. And when he is old he will not depart from it.” This means that he will never forget it. How often haven’t you heard of someone who got himself/herself out of trouble, because he remembered the values he had learned at home.

So what should we teach our children. According to the American preacher and author, George Sweeting, there are at least three character qualities that you must teach your children, qualities that will carry them through the rest of their lives. The first one is diligence. Another word for diligence is commitment. Teach your children commitment. You can do this both by example and by guidance. Teach them commitment in their responsibilities at home, in the neighbourhood, at school, or wherever they interact with others, children or adults. Teach your children commitment to prayer. Sometimes they make mistakes when they pray, but that’s OK. God understands. I am reminded of the little girl who one evening was saying bedtime prayers with her mother. "Dear Harold, please bless Mother and Daddy and all my friends," she prayed. "Wait a minute", interrupted her mother, "who's Harold?" "That's God's name," was the answer. "Who told you that was God's name?" asked the mother. "I learned it in Sunday school, Mommy. "Our Father, Who art in heaven, Harold be Thy name." (Bruce Larson, In the Presence (Harper & Row), used by permission. Teach your children commitment in all things.

We live in a society that seems to constantly want to emphasise children’s rights. That’s not all bad, but as many of you know, kids know their rights, and sometimes use them in a negative way. The Bible is clear that children have a responsibility to be obedient to their parents. It is a parents responsibility to teach a child this. The previous verse to the one we have just read from Colossians says, “Children obey your parent in all things, for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.” If we fail to teach them obedience, we have not only failed them, but we have failed God. Some parents are reluctant to teach obedience for it might influence a child one way or another. “Children need to express themselves,” they say. But why not? If you don’t,
The ads will!
The press will!
The movies will!
The neighbours will!
The forces of sin will!
The politicians will! We use our influence over flowers, vegetables, cattle, etc. Shall we ignore our own children?

Obedience and discipline go hand in hand. There must be some boundaries that a child must learn. Child rearing should always be parent-centred, and not child centred, according sociologist Dr. Jules Henry. (Quoted by George Sweeting) I would add, if there are no boundaries, there can be no knowledge of right from wrong. This doesn’t mean that parents should become autocratic with their children, but it does mean that they exercise their God ordained authority with them. If children have a lack of respect for parental authority, they will naturally have that same lack of respect for any other authority as well. Teach your children obedience in a loving way. Not like the poor kid who was called into a judge’s chambers. He announced to the boy that he had to make a decision as to which parent was to receive custody of him. The judge said, "I believe I shall give you to your mother." "Oh, no!" cried the boy. "Mother beats me." "Then," said the judge, "I shall give your father custody." "Oh, no!" said the boy. "Father beats me." "Then who shall get you?" the judge asked the boy. "Give me to the Blue Jays," said the boy, "They can't beat anyone!"

Finally, teach your children reverence. Teach your children to honour God, His word, and his ways. There is a passage of Scripture that fits very well here. Listen. This is God speaking through the old testament servant Moses. "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 (Deut. 6: 4-7a). Commitment is your child’s responsibility to himself. Obedience is his/here responsibility to others. Reverence is his/her responsibility to God. (George Sweeting) Now reverence is more than praying before meals. It’s more than sending your children to Sunday School. Reverence is something that grows out of faith, and yes children can and do have faith in God. Sometimes we think faith is an adult thing, but children will acquire the same faith you have if you but share it with them. How do you share it? By talking about perhaps, but that’s not always easy is it. Example is a good way. One mother shared her faith by singing about it. One day as she was cleaning, she began singing the gospel song "Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King." Her young son in the next room began singing with her. But something wasn't quite right. His version was: "Soon, and very soon, we are going to Burger King." (Fran Zok, Buffalo, N.Y. adap) Reverence for the things of God is so important is a child’s life, as it is for all of us. Share your faith with your children.

Teach a child. Teach your children well. It is an immense responsibility with a myriad of pitfalls. Pray for wisdom and strength to do your job. If you are a parent trying to do this by yourself, you have even a greater need for prayer. Parents must set the example of commitment, obedience, and reverence in all phases of their lives if they are going to be successful. Today is Mother’s Day, and we honour all mothers, but is it takes a concerted effort of parents, to teach their children. Train up your children in the way they should go, and they will never forget it. And do you know what? It might seem difficult now, but some day your kids will thank you. Believe me, I know. May God help you as you teach your children.