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There is a common saying, “Children don’t come with instructions.” While this is true for so many aspects of learning the ropes of parenting, there are however instructions given to parents by God for how we are to raise our children. They may not cover each specific scenario, but they are the general principles that we will find applicable throughout the entire journey.
Observations:
Command: “Obey your parents”
- Because of your position in Christ
- Because it is “right”
- Because it is commanded by God
- Because obedience results in a promise
- Because the promise is you will live well
- Because the promise is you will have long life
Command: “Don’t frustrate your children, but raise them with discipline and instruction in the faith”
- Don’t frustrate
- Raise them with
A. Discipline
B. Instruction in the faith (of the Lord)
Conclusions:
1. God’s commands are the source of family instruction
Deuteronomy 11:18-21
“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.”
2. You are raising adults
Proverbs 22:6
“Train a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not turn from it.”
3. Instruction begins and belongs in the home
2 Timothy 3:14-15
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
4. Instruction is the responsibility of both parents, but fathers are expected to lead
Colossians 3:20-21
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”
Application:
With humility – refocus your efforts God’s simple commands