Teach... your children well

I have so much to post about today that I think I’m going to have to start making a list of topics so that I can actually spend time on one subject instead of putting them all together in one post that won’t do them justice.


 Today I am going to post about Children. I got this original idea from reading another blog of course – The Legacy of Home. She links to a sermon you can find here.

 It’s an interesting listen that’s for sure! Now the preacher is a Southern Baptist but regardless of your denomination it’s some great stuff! He talks a lot about..


Ephesians 6:1-4


Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother – which is the first commandment with a promise – that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on earth.


Fathers, do not exasperate your children; Instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (emphasis mine)


First let me say that this has been heavy on my heart for some time now. I have not brought my children up in the training and instruction of the Lord. I’ve struggled with my own relationship with HIM for several years. Prior to that there was nothing. So, my children were older when I first even thought of teaching them about God. What made it worse… I don’t know that much either! So, we are both learning together.


This reading cements for me that it is my duty to teach my children the Word. I need to institute some devotionals each evening and some Bible study. The funny thing is, I can barely say grace with my children without feeling foolish. I suppose I am afraid that they will see my hesitance, see that I don’t know what I’m talking about! I might as well be praying in front of 100 strangers.


This is my job though. This is my calling. This is a way to keep my children from growing up confused and hopefully keep them from being in their late 30’s before they long for a relationship with Jesus.


2 Timothy 3:14-16


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. All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. (emphasis mine)


There are many such scriptures. There can be no doubt that this is important. I also realized by listening to the linked sermon and reading these scriptures that this Commandment (honor your father and mother) is the first Commandment that has a promise! That if you do this it may go well with you and you may enjoy long life on earth!


This also morphs into other areas. Areas like DISCIPLINE! This is another of our jobs. Certainly our children are supposed to listen but we as parents need to discern the appropriate things for our children. If we are sarcastic, we will have sarcastic children. If we are lax in discipline, we will have children who cannot control themselves. This is another issue for me with my youngest. I didn’t seem to have trouble with my oldest but it seems either as they get older (or as I do) that I find myself relaxing the “law of the land.”


I’m unsure how to deal with that but you can bet I’m praying about it! However, I can tell you for certain that I will not sit idly by and wait for Sunday School teachers to teach my children about God now will I wait for the public school system and teachers to discipline my children.


I am on a mission!