The current generation would not do well living under the Old Testament lawGod was very strict about the behavior of children and being disobedient to parents. Some things were punishable by death.
Last week at the grocery store, a young mother went up and down the aisles with her little boy screaming. He was not hurt or in need of anything. He just continued screaming, I guess, because he wanted to scream.
I was shopping recently, and a little girl slapped her mother when she was corrected. The mother ignored the slap and continued trying to get her child to behave.
A dad often brings his little daughter, about 3, into a local coffee shop. He spends most of his time taking things away from her and putting them back on the shelf. He lets her pour out the ice from her cup of water and play in it. He never corrects her.
Children are allowed to run up and down the aisles at church, pushing people aside without regard for their safety. This is regular behavior at many churches. The parents watch, sometimes calling to them to slow down, but no consequence is delivered. Some of these same children like to squeal loudly during the worship service, sometimes to the extent it interferes with worship.
I know none of these incidences are in the law. Certainly, none of them are punishable by death. But God’s law does provide rules for parents and for children. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor your father and mother, that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” It is the parent’s responsibility to set the rules, and it is the children’s responsibility to obey them.
Parents use the excuse that they will be arrested if they spank their child. Bystanders are often quick to interfere with parents punishing a child. There are, however, ways to handle these situations. Consequences need to be had for bad behavior. There are other ways, but that takes time and teaching. Sadly, many parents don’t “have the time.” They will say, “He/she will grow out of it.” If children don’t know how to obey their parents, how will they know how to obey the laws of the land?
The other side of this story is much more pleasant. I am working with four little girls getting ready for Lads to Leaders. None of them are old enough to compete, but they have the opportunity to participate just to get them comfortable in front of people.
They have practiced, learned their Scripture reading or speech, and they listen to the instructions for what they are to do, and how they are to behave. Each one comes to give me hugs. One recently brought me a coloring picture which she said she had colored just for me because I had helped her with her speech. What a joy these girls have been!
We as Christians need to open our hearts to the young ones in our congregations. Be good examples, be mentors, be encouragers. The rewards will be worth the time.
Sandra Oliver