Modelling

*Modelling*
Richard Nsoh Atambire

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6
*Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.*

Most often, we quote this scripture to show that children need training but what we miss is how to give that training. The Bible shows us not to withhold the rod from the child, which is good but one surest way by which children learn is by imitation. "Children are great imitators so give them something great to imitate". Parents often downplay the importance of modelling to a child. A child sees perfection in his or her parents and as such see them as role models, copying behaviour and attitudes. Children who see their  fathers beating their mothers grow up thinking that it is alright to beat up women and their wives. Girls who grow up watching their mothers verbally abuse their fathers, tend to do the same to their own husbands when they grow up. It is not enough to tell a child to do or not to do something when you are clearly doing the opposite. Supposing a spiritual father preaches fasting and prayer everyday yet he never fasts or even his fasting is from 6pm-6am when he can go for a heavy meal as breakfast! The home is the foundation of the society, the damaged and scarred personalities we see as adults are often habits and attitudes adopted from early childhood.
Let's not downplay the value of our behaviors and attitudes when training up children so that we can agree with 1 John 1:4
*I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth*