Nurturing Faith: The Interplay of Family, Parenting, and School in Christian Life | Naomi Ann Varghese
A child’s growth in every aspect begins with the family. Proverbs 29:17 says, “Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your soul.” Christian parenting necessitates divine wisdom and the conviction that children ought to mature according to God’s will and purpose. When a couple becomes parents, their foremost responsibility shifts to their children, prioritizing their spiritual growth and upbringing through Godly wisdom, above any other commitments in churches, society, or workplaces.
While school undoubtedly plays a crucial role in a child’s intellectual and social development, the most fundamental life lesson begins with understanding their creator, or who God is. This can only be achieved through Christ-centered parenting. Education provides the skills required to make a living in this world. Christian parenting imparts the values and virtues essential for living as God’s beloved creation. The training to achieve this goal begins when the children are young, as written in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Christian parenting is both a sacred duty and a profound privilege bestowed upon us by God. As stewards of His precious gifts, we are entrusted with the task of nurturing our children’s hearts and minds, cultivating within them virtues of kindness, integrity, and compassion.
Family serves as the epicentre where love is modelled, grace is extended, and forgiveness is practised. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says, “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house when you walk by the way when you lie down, and when you rise up.”
As an educator, I frequently hear students justify their screen time by attributing it to their parents’ busy schedules, which grants them permission to engage with screens. The allure of worldly distractions is vast, and children can easily become absorbed in them if given the opportunity. Regrettably, parents too often find themselves ensnared by screen addiction.
Through our words and actions, we model for our children what it means to live a life of faith and obedience to God. We teach them the importance of prayer, the power of forgiveness, and the beauty of serving others selflessly. In moments of joy and sorrow, triumph, and trial, we exhibit a life that is strong in faith, loving God unconditionally.
May we, as families, parents, and educators, continue to cultivate environments where faith flourishes, love abounds, and wisdom prevails. Let us commit ourselves to the journey of faith, walking hand in hand with our children, as we seek to honour God in all that we do, say, and think. In all realms of life, let us be mindful of the Lord’s promise: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
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