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This article is from Today's
Native Father, issue #129,September/October, 2003. Related articles from this issue: |
Giving Meaningful Time and Attention A Bible Study by David Hertzler |
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Harry Chapin’s song Cat’s in the Cradle concludes with the words “...it occurred to me, he’d grown up just like me. My boy was just like me.” The aging father who had not had time for his son now finds that his son has no time for him. Even as they declare their independence, two-year-old’s crave time and attention from their parents. The Bible suggests some ways to make this time meaningful. 1. Teach them diligently, Deuteronomy 6:5-9. Two-year-old’s can start learning that family rules come from God. Repetition. “____________ the Lord your God with all your _______________, soul and strength. Do not forget God’s ___________________. Teach them to your _______________. _______________ them when you are at home, when you are away, when you are resting and when you are working.” Visual, concrete presentation. "Tie them to your ____________ and wear them on your forehead. Write them on the _____________ of your house and on your gates.” 2. Outfit them with clothing that represents you, 1 Samuel 2:18-19. Samuel entered priestly training as a very young child. “Each year his mother would make a little ___________ and take it to him.” This helped him remember who he was and where he came from. 3. Control your anger, Ephesians 6:4. Parents’ anger stirs up anger in children. “Fathers, do not treat your children in such a way as to make them ________________...” 4. Pay close attention to their needs, Proverbs 31:27. “She looks after the ______________ of her __________________.” 5. Direct their activities with clear aim and goals, Psalm 127:3-5. Children are like _________________ in the hand of a __________________. If you aim at nothing, you will usually hit it. But if your aim is clear, you can direct your child in ways that will make his life significant. 6. Include them in your worship and religious activities, Nehemiah 12:27, 43. Families gathered for this dedication of the ___________. It was a day of celebration for everyone. Even the women and _______________ rejoiced. 7. Speak words of promise and blessing to them, Ruth 4:13-15. The women said of Naomi’s grandson Obed, “May the boy become _____________ in Israel. May he be to you a restorer of ____________ and give you _______________ in your old age.” |
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