RECOMMENDED READING ABOUT CHILD TRAINING

The Little Book of Christian Character & Manners by William & Colleen Dedrick is
our favorite! Besides keeping our copy handy, we have given several as gifts!

Wise Words for Moms by Ginger Plowman; see http://www.gingerplowman.com/.
Read an article by her at http://www.gingerplowman.com/whatliesbeneath.html.

CHILD TRAINING TIPS: What I wish I knew when my children were young by Reb Bradley,
2003 MHEA (Mississippi Home Educators Association) Spring Conference speaker. See his
website for this and many other resources at http://www.familyministries.com/home.htm.

Proverbs 22:1, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour
rather than silver and gold."
Proverbs 20:11 says, "Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure,
and whether it be right."

What the Bible says about ... Child Training, 2nd Edition by Richard Fugate

Proverbs 22:15 says, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod
of correction shall drive it far from him."

Proverbs for Parenting: a Topical Guide for Child Raising from the Book of Proverbs
by Barbara Decker. We have also enjoyed the companion coloring book.

Proverbs 19:18, "Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare
for his crying."
Proverbs 29:15, "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself
bringeth his mother to shame."
Proverbs 18:2, "A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may
discover itself."
Proverbs 15:21, "Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of
understanding walketh uprightly."

Biblical use of the rod is not child abuse. To leave a child at the mercy of his or her own
foolishness is destructive and irresponsible. Our job is not to entertain our children or
to make them "happy" all of the time. Having a heart to serve others and doing a job
well, bring joy and contentment that selfishness, laziness, and coveteousness cannot give.

Hebrews 12:11, "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous:
nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which
are exercised thereby."
Proverbs 15:10, "Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth
reproof shall die."
Proverbs 15:31, 32, "The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that
refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding."

The Original 21 Rules of This House by the Gregg Harris Family, Uncommon Courtesy for
Kids: a Training Manual for Everyone, and Rules for Young Friends: a Training Manual for
Children by Gregg & Josh Harris

Proverbs 13:20 says, "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion
of fools shall be destroyed."

"Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation for 'tis
better to be alone than in bad company." -- George Washington

I Corinthians 15: 33 says, "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners."

Proverb 14:9, "Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour."

The Bold Parenting Seminar and The Bold Christian Youth Seminar "challenge many
conventional assumptions" in our modern culture. The Bold Christian Living website
gives information about Jonathan Lindvall's free e-mail newsletter, tapes on a variety
of topics, and more. Mr. Lindvall was the guest speaker at the MHEA Spring Conference
in May of 2005. See http://boldchristianliving.com/

Have you ever heard the expression, "Everyone does it, has it, watches it, etc...?"
Proverbs 11: 21 comes to mind in response. "Though hand join in hand, the
wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered."

My dear husband often says, "If everyone is doing it, it's probably wrong." We've not
found a Biblical example where the majority chose right, at least not for very long!
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth
to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and
narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matthew 7: 13, 14

You Can Raise a Well Mannered Child and Manners Made Easy: A Workbook for Student,
Parent, and Teacher, both by June Hines Moore

You have probably heard the saying, "Spare the rod and spoil the child;" the Bible uses much
stronger language than that. Proverbs 13:24 says, "He that spareth his rod hateth his son:
but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes." Child training is hard work requiring
observation, time, and consistency on the part of the parents. Spend meaningful time with
your children - training, instructing, learning, working, reading, reciting, listening, talking,
playing, singing, encouraging, laughing, worshiping, and praying together.

Some excellent examples of prayer in the Bible include the following:
Matthew 6: 9-13; Philippians 1: 9-11; Ephesians 3: 14-19; Colossians 1:9-11; Psalm 31: 1-3;
Psalm 51: 10; Psalm 141: 1- 4; Psalm 143: 7-10. Read Philippians 4: 6, 7 and James 5: 16b.
Use "A.C.T.S." as a reminder for "adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication."

When our childrearing responsibilities are over and our children leave home, may they say,
"Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of
hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;" I Thessalonians 1:3