speak far louder to children than
words of advice. When a parent
models proper behavior, counsel is more likely to be accepted
by a teen that has experienced
the heartbreak of a failed relationship. Single parents have
an added opportunity to model
proper behavior in relationships.
Teens will do what they see
more than what they are told and
setting up parameters and safeguards in a courting relationship
are not ideals that should be
sought for the young and inexperienced, every Christian courting relationship between a male
and female. Those who have
experienced the joys of sexual
activity in a marriage relationship may be more susceptible to
moral failure, providing a terrible
example for the next generation.
Credibility is crucial to a healthy
parent/child relationship and
providing comfort and guidance
to a teen may be hindered by a
poor example on the part of a
parent. If a courting relationship
fails, parents should be the go
to people for the brokenhearted
teen and how a parent exhibits
godly behavior in their personal
life will go a long way to the parent’s role of counselor, comforter
and guide.
each parent with a part in shaping the future of mankind. Parents train the next generation
and will eventually entrust the
future to that generation. It is no
surprise that the generation that
fought so hard for the right to
abort the pre-born will be the first
generation whose children will
have the power of life and death
in euthanasia. Parents leave
a legacy, for good or bad. The
conversations a parent begins
having with children concerning
relationships will shape future
behavior. Purity modeled by
parents will impact future behavior. Prayers said early in a child’s
life will impact future behavior. It
is never too early to begin praying for a child’s future spouse.
Young people have many voices
competing with God’s voice;
parents must be diligent in not
adding to that competition.
CONCLUSION
The current generation faces
challenges to purity and godliness that no other modern
generation has faced. Gender
identity preference and sexual
freedom have suddenly become
political issues as well as cultural. The loudest voices are
in favor of sin and debauchery.
PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY Training up a child in the way he
should go has never been more
Parenthood is a gift from God: difficult. Concerning issues of
Psalms 127:3-5—‘Behold, chil- dating and relationships, proper
dren are a heritage from the structure now will lead to good
LORD, the fruit of the womb a decisions and outcomes later.
reward. Like arrows in the hand Teaching children to court unto
of a warrior are the children of marriage rather than allowing
one’s youth. Blessed is the man casual or even traditional dating
who fills his quiver with them! He will encourage maturity and
shall not be put to shame when help guard against destructive
he speaks with his enemies in behavior. Society will continue
the gate.’ God has entrusted to evolve away God and His
precepts; the Church must not
evolve along with society. God’s
standards of purity are the same
today as they were 5000 years
ago. Neither the Supreme Court,
nor any Presidential Directive
can change God’s commands.
The enemy wants the next generation, in order to destroy it: John
10:10—‘The thief comes only to
steal and kill and destroy. I came
that they may have life and have
it abundantly.’ The abundant
Christian life requires obedience
to God; therefore, parents are
called to lead their children down
pathways of obedience. Modeling and teaching the principles
of courting in place of dating can
go a long way toward leading a
young person down a safe path.
Paul Ahnert is a freelance writer
and blogger from Knoxville TN.
Paul is a graduate of Andersonville Theological Seminary and
is committed to discipleship,
having developed a program
of discipleship and study. You
can follo w him on Facebook and
Twitter or read his blog at www.
ahnertthoughts.blogspot.com