Teaching Our Children God’s Word

(Here is a devotional article written by Pastor Paul Chappell that was in my mailbox early this morning. This thought and command from God's Word has been my goal with the six children God has blessed my wife and I with over the years; it's a never ending job, but it is so rewarding when you see how God blesses in our lives as well as the lives of our children.)

Prov. 4:1-4 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

God desires for us to raise our children for Him. He delights in the faith and love of small children and He has a special place in His heart for them. He even sets distinct consequences for those who harm children. Matthew 18:6 says, “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” God takes the raising and nourishing of children very seriously.

In giving us the gift of children, God has also given us a responsibility. We are to raise our children to love the Lord. We are to help them develop hearts for Him. Yesterday we saw how we can help them by expressing our love to them each day. Today we will see that God desires for us to teach them His Word.

We are the ones responsible for teaching our children God’s Word. Every child needs a set of principles to live by. They need to learn respect, integrity, honesty, and discipline. These attributes can only be learned if we, as parents, are teaching them God’s Word.

Many of the problems in our world today can be traced back to parents who failed to teach their children God’s Word. Many times parents avoid teaching their children the Bible because they do not know it themselves! Parents, we must be in God’s Word each day so we can teach it to our children.

Also, we must realize that God’s Word keeps the heart. When we teach our children Bible verses and Bible stories, their hearts are nourished. We may not think so, but even young children can learn and retain Bible stories! It is a good practice to nourish their heart early on in life with good Bible stories and verses.

Time in the Bible does not have to be boring for your children! You can make it fun and exciting so they will want to learn God’s Word and spend time with Him. As you cultivate a love for God and His Word early on in your child’s life, they will be more established in Christ when they are older.

Parents, it is our responsibility to teach God’s Word to our children. Our world is not teaching them about God and how to live a moral life. If we do not teach them, who will? Also, we can help protect their hearts by teaching them His Word. As we teach them to hide His Word in their hearts, they will be better prepared to face the devil and his temptations.

Are you actively teaching your children God’s Word? It isn’t the job of the church, Sunday school, or even the Christian school to teach your children of God! It is your job as the parent. Spend time with God now and commit to helping establish your child’s heart by teaching him God’s Word. Take time today to teach your child a Bible verse or to tell them a Bible story. Help ground their lives in God’s Word today.

(Comment from Jim; The example of Timothy shown from the verses below has always been a guide to my wife and I in raising our children in God's Word.)

2 Tim. 1:5, 2 Tim. 3:14-17 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.