Why is it that when one
person yawns,
everybody's tempted to yawn?
When I
hang around with my friends from Jerusalem, India, or Mexico,
I unintentionally pick up some of their accents and mannerisms.
Neuro-scientists can't explain the mechanism for such contagious
behaviors. But it's an obvious fact that the Lord made us to be
relationally contagious and imitative. Originally in a sinless
world, this quality was a blessing. God's image & character
was transferred like-Father / like-son. But now in our sinful
state of rebellion and ignorance, our attitudes, countenance,
speech, and behaviors can tempt one another in subtle yet powerful
ways.
So please as Paul said,
Rom 12:1-3 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind [RESOCIALIZATION], that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."
1 Cor 15:33 "Do not be deceived, evil company corrupts good habits"
Prov 12:26 "The righteous should
choose his friends carefully,
For the way of the wicked leads them astray."
Prov 13:20 "He who walks with
wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed."
I. God Commands You
to Choose Your Child's Spheres of Social Influence:
- Gen 18:19; Deut 6; 1 Sam 2:22-36; Psa 78; Psa 127;
Eph 6:4; Heb 12.
For 6,000 years God's people never
exposed their children to so many potentially unChristlike influences.
Even in academic and religious education, the children did not
spend huge amounts of time together with equally immature peers,
where the "socialization" tends to maintain horizontal
stagnation or degeneration. Children were designed to grow up,
vertically into the image and character of God the Father through
Jesus. And God's Way to do that is Spirit-filled, disciplined discipleship, - prayerfully,
lovingly, and diligently orchestrated by the parents.
II. You Must Be Your
Child's Best Socializer:
** Make a list of ways you can model God the Father's character
for your children.
- Help each child build a motive of sacrificial
service
to God's glory, not a motive of entertainment or goodies,
especially as
they think of "church". (1 Jo 2:15-17)
Relaxation and entertainment are good,
but not the purpose of God's "ekklesia".
Remember, eternal vacation is coming,
but now it is warfare.
(2 Tim 2:1-4)
- Teach your children immediate soul-control at your command.
"Yes sir, I'd be glad to" - is a wonderful
testimony in this world of rebellion.
It really can be done, and it's much easier and simpler
than you might think.
As young parents, Linda & I sought advice
to help us learn how.
Seek "Biblical" counsel if you need
discipleship in this specific area.
- Practice being on time for scheduled events and meetings,
thus teaching your children respect for others
and responsibility.
-
-
III. You Must Limit Dangerous
Socializers:
** Make a list of influences in your child's life that
you need to control or eliminate.
- Limit techno-socializers, TV, video
games, & monitor internet usage.
Each promotes violence, magic, selfish sex, feminism,
etc..
- Choose the friends that will influence your children.
- Limit "refined" sugar in your children's diet,
especially
before & during church or school. New studies
show toxic effects:
(hyperactivity, sleep disturbance,
inattention, withdrawal, rebound, increased hunger, ...).
Online articles on socialization, which support a biblical
view:
*
Tragedy Raises Question About Peer Socialization,
by Michael Farris, J.D.
- Peer
Pressure in Public Schools Socializes Children toward Dishonesty.
- Home
Schooling and Socialization of Children by Nola Kortner Aiex
- Unschooling
Undefined by Eric W. Anderson
- Socialization:
Our Biggest Gripe With Homeschooling by John Anderson
- Socialization:
A Great Reason Not to Go to School by Karl M. Bunday
- Television and
Socialization of Young Children by Aletha C. Huston and John C. Wright
- The
Valedictorian Who Failed Socialization by Neysa C. M. Jensen
- Life is an Education
by Marnie Larsen Ko
- Socialization
by Heather Madrone
- Public School Reform:
Potential Lessons from the Truly Departed by J. Dan Marshall and James
P. Valle
- The
Development of Social Competence in Children by Sherri Oden
What
about the Prom, by Jackie Orsi
- Social
Development or Socialization? by Linda Kreger Silverman
- Developmental
Phases of Social Development by Linda Kreger Silverman
- Promoting
Positive Social Development by Linda Kreger Silverman
- Socialization
of Home School Children: A Communication Approach by Thomas C. Smedley
- Socialization
Issues by Fred Worth
- Socialization:
The “S” Word by Ann Zeise