Article by Dr. Les Hollon, Pastor, St. Matthews Baptist Church

To the believers in Galatia, Paul wrote, “You are all sons (children) of God through faith in Christ Jesus, … If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”  

That word “children” applies to all of us and calls us to live in an awareness of how God sacrifices for us. Jesus Christ gave his life so that we might live.

The vows we speak in our American weddings are words of clarifying equal worth and equal commitment.  When married couples become parents, they are to be the leaders in the family through love and moral living.  Parents are to help empower the children by encouraging them to grow in Christ and make moral decisions.  This way of parenting forms a covenant with your child based on love and respect.  Truly loving each other, truly respecting each other and truly working on each other’s behalf are meant to be the family way for Christians.

Every child deserves four blessings - whether born, adopted, befriended, or baptized into a family called parent/s, grandparent/s, or church.  Blessings are biblical ways of giving power to another.

1. Mixing joy into the child’s life enables the children to feel their importance.  The joy of knowing we matter to God and God’s people lays a secure foundation for all of one’s life.

2. Molding memories worth keeping enables us to feel our worth to God and helps us to make our way through life by having reference points which show us what to do and how to do it.

3. Modeling growth for children grants gives them security in knowing there is a way to go forward.

4. Making eternal life a normal topic of conversation which enables children to know that God doesn’t abandon us - ever.  To show another how to live is to show that person how to die in the assurance that God has a home called heaven for everyone who “knows the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”

Pastor Les Hollon

“Children are not soul-less, unguided creatures made for adults to manipulate like chattel.  They are spirited beings, complete at every given moment and age.  They have differentiated minds, specialized abilities and unique gifts that give testimony to themselves and their Creator. Children look to us for guidance. And they see us as symbols of love …”
-Anthony Gregorc  

This article was written by Les Hollon, Pastor of St. Matthews Baptist Church.  For more information about parenting, St. Matthews Baptist Church, or to contact Dr. Hollon, click over to St. Matthews Baptist Church.

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