Parents as Role Models

Parents as Role Models: Children learn significantly from what they observe. They are natural mimics, absorbing behaviours, attitudes, and even emotional responses from their environment, particularly from those they interact with most, like parents and caregivers. Children learn by watching others, a process known as observational learning.

They mimic actions, expressions, and even the tone of voice they witness, especially from role models like parents and teachers. In early childhood, their brains are absorbent, soaking up information from their surroundings like sponges. This includes language, social interactions, and emotional reactions.

Now, we take the discourse from the physical to the spiritual realm. How can parents model godliness for their children? The starting point is from the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve fell due to their rebellion against God, they lost the vital relationship with Him.

This affected their bond with their two children, Cain and Abel as well. Without the wisdom that comes from the Father, we are worse than animals. This was exactly what happened to that family. Cain eventually killed Abel out of jealousy and the fracture in the first human family left a stain on humanity.

           God did not have any intimate relationship with any human until Noah arrived on the scene. He found favour with the LORD and was spared the destruction unleashed on the entire earth through a flood, along with his family. His descendants repopulated the earth, and gave us the various races with their different languages after God scuttled the tower of Babel project. Then came Abraham and his lineage from Isaac, and subsequently the nation of Israel.

The Old Covenant or Old Testament, based on the Law of Moses emphasised the role of parents, especially the father in raising children. Deuteronomy 6:5-9 state: “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

How can parents do this? There is a saying that no one can give to others what he does not have. Parents cannot discipline their children effectively except they submit themselves to the discipline of the Holy Spirit. This has nothing to do with religion. Anyone who has encountered the Lord Jesus Christ and has received the Holy Spirit will readily yield to His leading. When parents submit their wills to God and start walking/living in the Spirit, they will receive grace to model God with their lives to their children and other people.