Contents
- 1 Using your mind correctly will transform your parenting into raising children who follow instructions.
Using your mind correctly will transform your parenting into raising children who follow instructions.
The Explanation has proven that neshama, the breath God breathed into the first human, is consciousness, which has five components: Purpose, Conduct, Reasoning, Socialization, and Rulership. This week we will concentrate on Conduct.
I want to Uncover the Nakedness Mystery
Nurturing Our Children’s Conduct
The first six Bible Proverbs Therapy exercises focused on healing. But we must not forget the importance of nurturing, the preventive method of excellence for staving off anxiety, stress, and other mental health issues. And nurturing starts at birth with caring parents; this is thoughtful and continued devotion to the new life parents bring into the world.
Only with proper nurturing can we expect a newborn to develop into a mentally stable child, adolescent, and adult. Beating anxiety and mental illness starts in the cradle. This begs questions about proper dating, couples, compatibility, maturity, marriage, and parenting, but those are other subjects.
Focus on How To Follow Instructions
This Chapter is the seventh exercise of Bible Proverbs Therapy. The focus is on conduct, and the specific point is following instructions. As parents, you need to discuss which specific area you want to work on and find the appropriate exercises. Here’s our Proverb for the week for nurturing decent conduct in our children: precisely how to follow instructions.
My son, hear (H8085) the instruction (H4148) of your father, and forsake not the law of your mother.
Hear is such a simple word in English. The Biblical Hebrew incorporates much deeper meaning.
שָׁמַע shâmaʻ shaw-mah’; a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.):
KJV – ⨯ attentively, call (gather) together, ⨯ carefully, ⨯ certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, ⨯ diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), ⨯ indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, ⨯ surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
I’ve emboldened a few translations to draw your attention to aspects to incorporate when you teach your children to follow instructions. Help them understand the why; this discernment will cause them to consent to obey. This week, study those words in their various contexts throughout the Bible and see their relationship with how to follow instructions. A further study involves a deeper meaning of instruction H4145. Use the Bible tools at UnlockBibleMeaning.com to expound these concepts. And keep in mind the Proverb means to follow instructions of both father and mother.
Parental Example of Teaching How to Follow Instructions
As loving and mindful parents, Daniel and Jessica prioritized nurturing their children, Noah, 10, and Emma, 12, with care, structure, and affection. They understood that teaching their children to follow instructions and act responsibly was a process requiring patience, guidance, and a deep sense of connection. Their goal was to build a foundation of trust and respect, helping Noah and Emma understand the importance of their choices and actions.
Daniel and Jessica set aside time each evening after dinner to discuss their day with Noah and Emma. During these conversations, they encouraged the children to share their feelings, achievements, and challenges. They created a safe space by actively listening, where their children felt valued and understood. Daniel often said, “Your thoughts matter, and we’re here to help you grow,” reinforcing the idea that following their instructions wasn’t only about obedience but mutual respect and trust.
The parents used a gentle approach to follow instructions, offering explanations rather than simply giving orders. For example, if Noah resisted completing his homework, Jessica patiently explained how consistent study habits would build skills and confidence. Similarly, if Emma felt discouraged about helping with household chores, her father reminded her of how each family member’s contribution helped their household run smoothly.
Through these nurturing practices, Noah and Jessica learned to respect their parents’ guidance, not out of fear but from an understanding of its value. Daniel and Jessica’s love, consistency, and dedication instilled in their children a strong sense of responsibility, respect, and integrity—qualities that would guide them well beyond childhood.
Here are three age-appropriate exercises for parents to help children follow instructions that foster understanding, respect, and responsibility.
Exercises for How to Follow Instructions
1. Clear Instructions with “Why” Explanations
- How It Works: When giving instructions, take a moment to explain the reasoning behind them. For example, instead of just saying, “Clean your room,” say, “Please clean your room so you have a tidy space to study and play.” Encourage questions so your child understands why the task is essential.
- Goal: This approach helps your child see obedience as a thoughtful response rather than mere compliance. Understanding the purpose behind instructions encourages them to follow through with intention and respect.
2. Routine and Responsibility Chart
- How It Works: Create a weekly chart with tasks like homework, chores, and personal goals. Review it together at the beginning of each week, and let your child check off completed tasks. Celebrate their progress and discuss any challenges they faced.
- Goal: This routine reinforces structure and accountability. It encourages them to take ownership of their responsibilities and understand that fulfilling tasks as they follow instructions has positive outcomes, promoting consistent behavior.
3. “Listening and Reflecting” Exercise
- How It Works: Practice a “listening check-in” where you give your child instructions, and they repeat it to confirm they understood. For example, “Can you please set the table for dinner?” followed by their response, “I’ll set the table for dinner.”
- Goal: This exercise reinforces active listening, ensuring your child understands and commits to the instructions. It also helps them develop the habit of acknowledging tasks clearly, supporting better follow-through.
Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.
– Jim Rohn
Following the father’s and mother’s instructions is a foundational part of discipline, which ultimately helps children achieve goals and succeed in their endeavors.
Parents shouldn’t have to repeatedly ask their children the same things. Doing so denotes lack of listening, obedience, and respect. By persevering with practical Biblical methods you can help your children inculcate the essential life practice of how to follow instructions.
More importantly, through these experiences, you’ll be preparing your child’s mind for their future life—a life that will not be problem-free but where they’ll be able to cope, possess mental stability, and beat anxiety.
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