Lesson 1: What is a Christian Home?
The Role of the Children
The children in a Christian home are to be the beneficiaries of the love their parents have for God, for each other, and for them. As such they have a right to expect certain things to not occur in the home, for example:
- Children should not be put before God or a spouse. A child needs to have her/his place within the household, and it is not on a pedestal.
- Children should not be exposed to a cold, hostile atmosphere in the home. There should be no yelling, name-calling, cursing, or bickering in front of them.
- Children should not be subjected to harsh or unreasonable discipline.
- Children should never be treated as though they are little adults, or as though they ought to be seen and not heard.
- Children should not be pressured, but must be inspired instead
Additionally, children have every right to expect the following:
- unconditional love
- approachable, warm parents
- emotionally available parents
- Godly training
- gender-specific role models
- justice
- Godly expectations, such as obedience and respect for their parents
- allowance for age-appropriate immaturity
