Teaching Our Children Through Parables

Parenting is hard.

I think it’s safe to say that every parent can relate to that statement. So many times I find myself crawling into bed at the end of the day, completely beat. It is in those quiet, dark moments that I find myself questioning my actions throughout the day. Did I react too harshly to my child? Why did I have to lose my temper? Why did I spend so much time cleaning the house when all I wanted to do was play with my children? Did I point them to Jesus today? Did I even eat?

In those moments of self-doubt, I can allow myself to be discouraged, or I can use those moments to learn and grow as a parent! Did I do everything perfectly today? Nope…. Not even close. But you could never doubt my efforts. I gave today my all!

As the day comes winding to a close, I find myself earnestly praying, “Lord, I tried my hardest today. Please make up for any of my shortcomings!” And you know what? He will! Because He is perfect!

So instead of pointing my children at their imperfect parents, it is my goal to point them to my perfect Savior. This may seem hard in this sin-cursed world we live in, but Jesus overcame the world!

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. — Psalm 119:11

This is how I point my children to Jesus. The Bible talks about how “out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45) Because of this, I can understand the importance of pointing my children to Jesus through scripture! It’s amazing what those little minds will soak up, and when you hear them regurgitating scripture to each other, it is the best moment in the world because you know they are getting it.

So here are a few situations and verses that I use when training up my child in the way they should go (yes we can learn a lot from the book of Ephesians):

Bible Verses for Correcting and Rebuking from Ephesians

Hitting or other acts of unkindness – Ephesians 4:32

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Not only does this verse allow you to address the mean act, but it also helps the parent to remember to forgive your child of that wrongdoing. And above all else, this verse points a child directly to Christ’s redeeming love and what HE did for us on the cross.

Disobedience – Ephesians 6:1

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

This verse doesn’t say that children should obey their parents when the parent is right… it just says to obey because it is right.

Disrespect – Ephesians 6:2-3

Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.

Whether it is by haughty attitude or a disrespectful tone in their voice, children need to be constantly reminded to honor their parents. Honor is not simply obeying. It’s obeying with the right attitude!

Lying – Ephesians 4:25

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.

When we lie to others, we are lying to ourselves as well. We are all in this together!

Temper Tantrum – Proverbs 25:28

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

We are robbing ourselves when we are not in control. Not only are we losing out on things like joy and peace, but we are also leaving ourselves defenseless. I always refer to how strong daddy is and that he doesn’t throw temper tantrums. He is a strong fortress, a place of refuge. We need to teach our children self-control, so that they can later protect themselves from the attacks of the Devil.

Kids don’t always get excited about learning Bible verses simply for the sake of learning them. We like to make it fun in our house by incorporating verses into a story. The Parable Treasury by Liz Curtis Higgs has a verse on every single page that relates to what’s happening in the story! This new book has a parable for each season – Easter, summer, harvest, and Christmas – so it can be part of your library all year round.

I hope these few Scripture verses are encouraging to you.

Parenting is hard… so bathe each day in prayer!!

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Your Turn

What do you have to add? What Scripture do you find yourself leaning on often? Come join the conversation on our blog. We’d love to hear your thoughts.