In Psalm 127:3-5, Solomon tells us the blessings of being a parent by describing children as arrows in a warrior’s quiver. In times past, arrows have been used to win battles, put meat on the table, and win competitions. Whatever the task, though, diligence and focus are required for an arrow to hit its mark. Like arrows, our children may not hit the marks we want if we are not diligent raising them in the Lord. Let’s consider three ways we can send our children flying in the right direction.
First, we need to take aim. No one pulls back the arrow and lets it fly willy-nilly expecting it to hit anything useful. Yet, many parents raise their children with no goal or aim in mind. They hope their child will be faithful, they hope their child will marry a Christian spouse, but hope is all they do. Proverbs 22:6 tells us to “train up a child in the way he should go.” We need to have a goal in raising our children. If we want them to be faithful, we need to train them to be faithful. If we want them to make godly decisions, we must train them how to do so. We must be diligent to train our children, discipline them, and set an example for them.
Second, we need to prepare for ill winds. No matter how well you focus on a goal, a bad wind can blow your arrow off course. It is the same with children. 1 Corinthians 15:33 tells us “bad company corrupts good morals.” All the training and work we have done with our children can be destroyed if we allow them to hang around with a bad crowd. We need to be aware of our kids friends—who they are, what they are like, how they treat your child. If they are not a positive influence, we need to have the courage to take a stand and remove that influence. Remember, it is with discipline—which can be momentarily painful—that we love our children, not by letting them do whatever they want (Hebrews 12:8-11).
Third, we need to release the arrow. An arrow does not accomplish anything sitting in a quiver. It must be drawn and released to accomplish its purpose. Parents who try to keep their children under their protective wing too long do a disservice to their children. They make the child reliant upon them and the child is unable to function as an adult. We have been told not to exasperate our children (Ephesians 6:4). Can you think of anything more frustrating than being trained for a purpose, but not allowed accomplish it? Or being trained to make decisions, but not being trusted enough to make them? As our children reach the teenage years, we need to show them increasing trust and respect to see how they will handle being on their own. This will give them the confidence and skills they need to live on their own.
Children are a blessing from the Lord; they are precious and valuable. We need to treat them accordingly. We should have spiritual goals in mind and work with them towards those goals. We need to set good examples for them and encourage positive role models and friends. In addition, we need to show them trust and respect so they can live life with confidence.
By Jeremy Sprouse
Jeremy has been married to Erynn since August 1999. They are blessed with six children: Jaden, Isaiah, Isaac, Ean, Joseph, and Evelyn. Jeremy preaches for the Patrick St. church of Christ in Dublin, TX and is the author of To Train Up a Knight.
Knights of The Father 