Who educates?

Do you know the situation where you forbid your child to eat a whole packet of sweets and your child contradicts you by saying: “But Daddy allowed it!” Children are real masters at playing their parents off against each other to get what they want. This can be sweets, a new toy or more time on the cell phone. If the mother has forbidden them something, the child will try to get it from the father and then argue with the answer it likes better. But how can parents defuse such situations?

In the biblical model, God comes first. The relationship between husband and wife is the second level on which the family rests. The children find their place below this relationship level, in a space of protection and care. This “family home” makes it possible for decisions about upbringing and development to be made in accordance with God's will. Even if God comes first, the relationship between the parents remains crucial. It is like a mobile on which the whole family hangs. If this relationship is strong and stable, the children will also find their place. If the marriage falters or breaks down, the “mobile” of the family becomes unbalanced, which places a heavy burden on the children.

Parents also bear responsibility as kings and priests of the family. They are not only authority figures, but also servants who intercede for their children in prayer and through God's guidance. As kings, parents rule their family with love and wisdom, guiding them through challenges and creating space for growth and independence. As priests, they bless their children, instruct them in the faith and bring their concerns before God in prayer.

Together, parents are called to raise their children under God's guidance. Their unity and example create the basis for children to grow up in love and faith. In Proverbs 31:28, the role of parents is emphasized through the praise of their children. This praise reflects the blessing that a stable, God-led family represents for the next generation.

Next Step: Is there conflict in your marriage because your partner feels that you are stabbing him or her in the back when it comes to raising your children? Ask Jesus to give you the tools to face your everyday challenges in a godly way.