Dear Christian friends:

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)

A Sunday School teacher told the class, "God makes people good." One boy answered, "Yes, I know, but mothers help a lot." Some mothers do. Today is mother's day and so we want to thank God for mothers, especially mothers who help Him train children to grow up good. In fact, today we want to talk about mother and father and their wonderful responsibility to make their home a Christian home.


"Don't provoke children to anger." Perhaps you read in Life magazine the sad story about that family. An extreme case. Yet many homes are full of anger, hate and fighting. We need Jesus to live in our homes. He ascended, but is not far off. He sends His Spirit, Himself, the Comforter to live in our hearts and to rule us with His love and Word. Paul says, "Bing up your children in the instruction and the discipline of the Lord."

First, set a good example. Father and mother love one another and do not hate and fight all the time. Children see this. Children learn more by what you do than by what you say.

Second, teach them. Begin with short easy prayers. Pray before meals and bedtime. Read Bible Story Books: Child's Garden of Prayer, Child's Garden of Bible Stories, Little Visits With God. Hang pictures and plaques on your walls. Bring children to Sunday School and Church. Have your children go through Confirmation Class when old enough.

Third, correct and discipline with God's Word when they do wrong. Be ready to forgive and forget. Be positive and not negative. Let children know you think they are good. Praise and encourage them. Don't criticize, scold and shame them. Correct them for the wrong deed not them personally.

Pray for God's help and wisdom. Also don't be afraid to ask for your doctor or pastor for help when you have trouble in your home.

A Standard For The Christian Home

We need one another.
We love one another.
We forgive one another.

We work together.
We play together.
We worship together.

Together we use God's Word.
Together we grow in Christ.
Together we love all people.
Together we serve our God.
Together we hope for heaven.

These are our hopes and ideals. Help us to attain them, O God. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.

Amen.