Parenting the Christian Way (Biblical Ideals to Augment the Call of Parenthood)

Marriage is instituted by God and thus, everything within the perimeter of a Christian marriage must be considered sacred which includes spousal relationship and child nurturing. Parenting is a gift from God and this gift comes with the responsibility to nurture. Christian parenting derives its insight from the Bible. Adhering to parenting principle based on one’s culture and tradition may differ but as a believing community, subscribing to a common Christian parenting principle is a possibility. Biblical principles apply to all Christians irrespective of color and race. We can come together not just in faith but in the common practice of parenting principles as sanctioned by the Bible. No book on earth is absolute yet the authority of the Bible and the richness of its resources are undeniable. A person / family that live according to the WORD are always on the right track; they are never lost. This book is a call to all Christian parents to respond to the call of God, live and nurture your children according to the WORD. Claim the Promises of God upon you and your family and be transformed into the parent you were meant to be.

Athriba Sangtam is a faculty member at Mt. Terogvu Theological College and the Dean of Leadership Development Centre. He earned his Master’s degree in Christian Ministry (Counseling) from Eastern Theological College under the Senate of Serampore University. He has also authored a book, “Children without Childhood.” Alongside his love for teaching ministry, his passion revolves around subjects such as Child Development and Parenting. He and his wife Likhum are parents to three children Dori, Muwaza and Kehli.

What a joy to be a parent! The joy of becoming parents and to witness our children mature each day is a joy we cannot trade for anything else. Not everyone have the opportunity to experience the joy of having and nurturing children of their own. People who are privileged to become parents are called to look at their position from a new perspective. Privileges always come with certain responsibility which has to be honoured. In fact, becoming a parent is not just a privilege but a very sacred affair. It is a sacred affair because our children are God's gift and the joy of receiving children as gifts from God comes with the responsibility to nurture them well. Any parent who looks at parenting from this perspective is indeed a blessed parent and their children will grow up to become persons of worth. The sad fact which cannot be hid is the fact that some parents have no or little clue as to how important parenting is not just for the children but also for themselves as parents. Many fail to understand the link that exists in terms of relating parenting both as biological and spiritual.

One of the most beautiful phase of one's life is the childhood; a phase that is filled with laughter and fun. Childhood has always been associated with innocence, purity of mind and soul but the plight of many children today proves it otherwise. The innocence associated with childhood has been marred by elements resulting in the absence of childhood in a child's life. Many children grow without knowing what it means to be a child. Many of our children today fails to enjoy their childhood and are growing up into 'Childhood Deprived Adults.' Childhood being the formative years of a person's life is vital for a healthy growth. The phenomenon of childhood deprived adult happens because of many factors where poor parenting tops the list. Parenting and issues related to childhood always goes hand in hand. They are inseparable.

God instituted marriage intending a man and a woman to come together and begin a family. Since marriage is instituted by God, everything that fall within the perimeter of a marriage is sacred. A family is an institution where love and peace reigns. It is a place where no one is a stranger and everyone is loved and appreciated. A glance at lives of many reveals a grim picture. There are families where the experience of laughter and peace is non-existent but strife and stress dominates. Some families rarely sit together at home not because they don't have time but because they cannot face one another. Some children hardly share any thoughts with their parents because of insecurity. God did not institute a family to live in such manner. When we see people being stripped away of their joy, we cannot afford to remain indifferent but be stirred.

Parenting is a gift that comes with responsibility. The responsibility to nurture our children also comes with a special package which helps us to become effective parents. The special package is "joy." This joy that comes from God is something that is left for parents to claim. Parenting can become a wonderful journey of life with our children provided we claim the blessing of parenthood in its fullness. Claiming the blessing of "being fruitful" in its fullness is the focal point of the first chapter of the book.

People receive inspiration from various sources, sometimes unexpected too. Even when we are clueless about something, inspirations from various sources enable us to keep going. It is always a delight to be inspired by something/someone. The second chapter of the book is a collection of inspirational parents as well as parents who flawed in their approach as parents as recorded in the Bible. The inspiration we receive through reading their way of nurturing and sustaining their families will truly open our eyes towards becoming parents we ought to be. The flaws they committed will also enable us to be cautious as we carry out our parental responsibility today.

The bible is a resource book not just for parenting but for various other subjects. Christian parenting has to derive a lot from the scripture. In fact, the right tool for Christian parenting comes from the scripture. The third chapter of the book encompasses insights from the scripture which are framed as the principles of Christian parenting. There are Christian principles for parenting in the teachings of the Bible and these principles should guide us to become model of parenting that others can emulate. We do not live in a world adhering to a single culture. Every community adheres to their own unique culture. Even for parenting norms, something that is considered normal in one's culture is considered the other way round. Looking at parenting from a Christian perspective gives us a better prospect since biblical principles apply to all people (Christians) irrespective of race and culture. From a Christian perspective, the possibility of having a common set of norms for parenting becomes a reality.

In parenting, nurturing and disciplining goes hand in hand always. Parents and other care givers are mostly carried away when it comes to disciplining a child. Should we spank a child? Should we scream at them? Should we just let them do what they want? The norms of disciplining vary from culture to culture. In certain culture, spanking a child may be considered gross but some culture may permit parents to do it. What the scripture sanctions when it comes to disciplining is of utmost importance in this chapter. No matter what our culture dictates, Christian parenting must consider seriously, the norms of disciplining as sanctioned by the scripture. The bible definitely has answer to this quest and chapter four explores this aspect and also checks the danger of misinformed biblical truths being applied in our lives.

**Contents and Sample Pages**