How to exercise parental authority meaningfully

Good parents refuse to leave their children at the mercy of their own folly. Through effort to prepare children for successful living, parents teach them skills for self-control, respect for authority, consideration for others, and submission to God. This training involves teaching, leading, correcting. In a word, this training involves discipline. Remember children are our fruits and tomorrow will be seeds of peace, unity and reconciliation to nations. Yet, many parents of this era are not aware of the devil that is attacking children. The problem lies on how to exercise our parental authority meaningfully. In the book of Proverbs 13: 24 the Bible says: “Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.” As Kinyarwanda saying goes “A tree is streamlined when is still young” In our Rwandan Law n°42/1988 of October 27th, 1988 bearing Preliminary Title and First Book of the Civil Code, we find how parental authority is exercise. For instance, Aricles 343 up to 347 stipulate how children must handle themselves before parents and vice-verse It is rare to find a notorious child who got or experienced true parental care, love and encouragement from a parent. Children matter! They matter to God and to their parents, and they ought to matter more to the church and society. Proverb 22: 6 says: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” The Bible teaches us to fear God. This healthy fear is a matter of reverence. When we fear Him, we are less likely to want to anger Him or go against His teachings. It does not mean He doesn’t love us; it just means we acknowledge his authority in our lives. This is exactly how our children should perceive us as parents. Proverb 9: 10: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Encourage your children to turn to God, to speak to Him. Start reciting different prayers, reading bible verses, singing or worshiping together. Let’s be good mirrors for our child. When we speak to each person gently, when we deal with others honestly, when we approach the world with optimism, we model spiritual behavior for our children. Ephesians 6: 1-4 says: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth. And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. GOD LOVES YOU Rev. Gatera is a preacher.