In a family with this type of parenting style, children are punished for disrespecting parental authority or questioning a parent’s God-given right to boss them around. Such parenting can take on an air of infallibility, become harsh and demand absolute submission. If they fail to do this, they think their children won’t respect God’s authority and will fall away from the faith. If you look at my old Bible (my wife, Lisa, had it re-covered many years ago for one of my birthdays), you’ll see the table of contents has dates written next to various Bible books. Today some Christian parents believe that their most important role is to teach their children to be obedient and to respect authority. When couples read and study the Bible together, they increase spiritual intimacy and a general sense of togetherness. Instead, a good parent is supportive, sets a good example, offers comfort and care when a child is struggling, and guides the child as parent and child each try to live lives “worthy of God” (2:12). Paul assumed that a loving, caring parent doesn’t just order a kid around and demand respect. So for Paul to say that he and his fellow missionaries, Silas and Timothy (see 1 Thessalonians 1:1 ), had acted like nurturing mothers and encouraging fathers was no doubt radical thinking for many. This was before the study of child development, so the parents of Paul’s day probably didn’t spend much time thinking about the emotional or spiritual needs of their kids. The apostle Paul gives us a beautiful model of the church: a family in which leaders think of themselves as loving parents who are called to care for and encourage those they lead.īut Paul’s use of the analogy of parenthood in 1 Thessalonians 2 may have surprised some in the church. we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children.
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