Who is responsible to educate children?
The education of our children has for decades, literally even centuries, been seen as the responsibility of the state. But is this beneficial? Is this what made America great? Is this the reflection of a Biblical worldview? Or is it just the opposite of a Biblical worldview?
Let’s look at some scriptures concerning parental responsibilities. I hope that these help you realize how important you are as a parent!
I am fascinated with the scripture in Genesis 18:18-19:
“… Seeing that Abraham shall be indeed a great and a mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him that he will command his sons and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord to do righteousness and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon Abraham, that he hath spoken unto him.” (GNV)
The notes in the GNV Bible say about Genesis 18:19:
“He showeth that fathers ought both to know God’s judgments, and to declare them to their children.”
We see here that not only is it a parental responsibility to raise children and teach them about the Lord, but is especially the father’s responsibility. This should encourage us to embrace a fresh look at education whether we think that we have the “gift” of teaching or not.
It should encourage us that our obedience will bring a blessing. It seems that because Abraham “will command his sons and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord to do righteousness and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon Abraham, that He hath spoken unto him.”
As our older generation comes out of the “ME” generation and all the self-aggrandizement that this has trapped us in, it may seem difficult to grasp that the simplicity of God’s great call on us is achieved by laying aside all that entangles us to press into the high calling of God on our own lives, to command our sons and our household after us, that we keep the way of the Lord to do righteousness and judgment in our own homes with our own children.
As Deuteronomy 4:9-10 instructs us, “Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren, especially concerning the day you stood before the Lord your God in Horeb, when the Lord said to me, ‘Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’ (Emphasis mine.)
When do we do this? Deuteronomy 6:4-7 gives us insight: “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Doesn’t that sound like all the time?)
Deuteronomy 11:19 confirms this. “Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Psalm 78:4-6 mandates that Fathers teach their children, “We must not hide them from their children, but must tell a future generation the praises of the Lord, His might, and the wonderful works He has performed. He established a testimony in Jacob and set up a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children so that a future generation— children yet to be born—might know. They were to rise and tell their children.”
Joel 1:3 gives us this generational perspective, “Tell your children about it, and let your children tell their children, and their children the next generation.”
Let’s look at these scriptures that address parents and children:
“Children, obey your parents as you would the Lord, because this is right.” ~ Ephesians 6:1
“Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” ~ Ephesians 6:4
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” ~ Colossians 3:20
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so they won’t become discouraged.” ~ Colossians 3:21
Look at these scriptures that lay out an order and predicate whether deacons are qualified to serve and if widows are taken care of by the church:
“One who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity.” ~ 1 Timothy 3:4
“Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently.” ~ 1 Timothy 3:12
“One who is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of wildness or rebellion.” ~ Titus 1:6
“But if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God.” ~ 1 Timothy 5:4
“ … and is well known for good works—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work.” ~ 1 Timothy 5:10
Look at the emphasis for young women in being encouraged to be family focused and successful:
“Therefore, I want younger women to marry, have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.” ~ 1 Timothy 5:14
“ … so they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children.” ~ Titus 2:4
May the Lord give us the “spirit of Elijah” and turn our hearts back to our children and the hearts of our children back to us and remove this horrible curse off our land. (Malachi 4:6) May we seek to be “good men” who give an inheritance to our children’s children. (Proverbs 13:22) May we have the same spirit as the Apostle John toward our children, both natural and spiritual:
“I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” ~ 3 John 1:4
May 2021 be the “Year to Advance His Kingdom” despite the chaos!
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