Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 (KJV). Teach your children right from wrong, and when they are grown the will still do right. Proverbs 22:6 (CEV). Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their lives. Proverbs 22:6 (GNBDC).
The disciple is not above his master but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. Luke 6: 40 (KJV). Are students better than their teacher? But when they are fully trained, they will be like their teacher Luke 6:40 (CEV). No pupil is greater than his teacher, but every pupil, when he has completed his training, will be like his teacher. Luke 6:40 (GNBDC)
How many of us remember that children are the heritage of God? Children belong to God! Every parent will give account to God about their responsibility on their child(ren). Neglect in parenting is at alarming rate this days. We allow the society to take care of our children. We no longer impart them with values any more, but allow the social media to do the work for us.
I see young ones being exposed to sexual content in social apps. I see children exposed to drugs at tender age. It saddens my heart to see young ones exposed to violence of every kind. And I am very displeased with the generation that we are raising and afraid for the future. Parental care is diminished in the society and no one seems to care. This is a time bomb! The worse part, it is ticking away! The explosion is very near.
I want to beg the present day parent to please wake up to their responsibility, stop looking away from habits and deed of our children that need to be frowned at. Don’t down play it. Stop saying things like: “He is still a child” or: “It doesn’t matter.”
It really does matter! That is the way he will go when he becomes an adult. Know this: it is at childhood that training is given. So if he is still a child, that is when you should give him/her the best instruction so that he grows with it.
. Reverend Iroko is the Provost and Vicar of African Church, Saviours Cathedral, Agege, Lagos State.