WHAT PARENTS OWE THEIR CHILDREN
Ephesians 6: 1- 4
Introduction:
1. Note these passages:
a. Psalms 127
b. Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a
child left to himself bringeth his mother to
shame.
c. Proverbs
6:20 - 21 My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the
law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine
heart, and tie them about thy neck.
2. Within these truisms, the substances promised the child must come from the parent. None of these things is temporal! As parents, we must not “spoil the child” with flatteries and frivolities, but must raise the child to respect, honor and obey God! Without that diligence, the child has no possibility of becoming the best he/she can become: A CHRISTIAN!
3. While many believe they have accomplished the requirement of “raising the child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” by giving the child a Bible, in future years they are seemingly astounded when that child has no more knowledge of its content than when first presented with that Bible! What these children missed was among their greatest needs: EXAMPLE! We need to examine WHAT PARENTS OWE THEIR CHILDREN and children need to realize their responsibility in accepting these valuable blessings. Every aspect of the parent/child relationship has challenges. Often, these challenges (i.e. “temptations”) present themselves, as “justifiable excuses” to alter the greater example required of our children. The adage, “Practice what you preach” is required of every Christian – and increasingly more so for the Christian who raises their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord!
I. PARENTS OWE THEIR CHILDREN RULES OF CONDUCT, BUT RULES THEY AND WILL OBEY!
A. Follow the example of Jesus’ commands!
1. Matt. 11:28 – 30
2. 1John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
3. 1
Peter 2:21 – 23 -- For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also
suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his
mouth: Who, when he
was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth
righteously:
4. Children accept the CONDUCT OF THE PARENT as a “rule to follow.” Make sure the EXAMPLE matches the RULE OF GOD!
B. If the “golden rule” applies to YOU (parent) make sure it applies to the child!
1. Matt. 7:12
2. If you (parent) wish your child
to be honest and forthright with you, then be honest and forthright with your
child! If you desire the best from your child (in behavior) then you must give
your best to the child!
II. PARENTS OWE THEIR CHILDREN CORRECTION: BUT WITH KINDNESS
A. Proverbs 3:1 – 12; Hebrews 12:1 – 11
B. 2 Timothy 3:16 – 17 -- 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.
1. The scriptures teach us what to
do (doctrine)
2. The scriptures teach us what NOT
to do (reproof)
3. The scriptures teach us how to
be right (correction)
4. The scriptures teach us how to
stay right (instruction in righteous)
C. Jeremiah 10:23 – 24 -- O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.
D. Parents
are to correct; not to punish, their children. Those who punish them do it from a principle of revenge; those
who correct them do it from a principle of affectionate concern.
III. PARENTS OWE THEIR CHILDREN LOVE: BUT WITH FIRMNESS
A. Just
as we read from Hebrews 12: 1- 11, “He chastens whom He loves,” we read as well
it is for our PROFIT.
PARENTS OWE THEIR CHILDREN THAT EXAMPLE!
1. Anger promotes discouragement
(Colossians 3:21, Fathers provoke not your children to anger, lest they be
discouraged.)
2. Ephesians 4:26 -- Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
B. Yet, the parent must not “coddle” the child to the point of excusing wrongful behavior!
1. The child should love the parent
because it is right to do so; not because he/she is frightened too frightened
NOT to love! Likewise the parent must love the child because it
is the right thing to do; not because the parent is afraid NOT to love!
2.
John 15: 12 -- This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
IV. PARENTS OWE THEIR CHILDREN PROPER REARING: INCLUDING ALL THE ABOVE IN PROPER FASHION
A. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child
in the way he should go, and when he is old he will
not depart from it.
1. “Old” carries the idea of “mature”. Maturity begins in YOUTH … and must grow as surely as the
child’s body!
2. This is a “truism,” and not an “absolute guarantee.” No parent can save the soul of their child: that responsibility is left to the child only! YET, THE RAISING OF THAT CHILD TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARENT!!
B.
Proper rearing is NOT limited to a secular environment of school or
home or work. It requires the most important element: THE TRAINING OF THE MIND
IN GODLINESS!
V.
PARENTS OWE THEIR CHILDREN THE NURTURE AND ADMONITION OF THE LORD
A.
Nurture
1. (Strong) -- tutorage, that is, education or training; by implication disciplinary correction: - chastening, chastisement, instruction, nurture.
2. Nurture has to do with
convolution: “a form that is shaped by curves, rough ridges
or torturous windings.” The meaning is, “It might not be the easiest road to
follow: BUT FOR SALVATION OF THE SOUL, IT IS THE ONLY ROAD!
3. Just
so, for the parent to SAY
AND DO NOT (example) regarding faithful assembling, faithful participation
within the worship (singing, praying, studying, reverence at communion,
generosity at giving, etc.) is NOT showing the child a LOVING, DISCIPLINED
REARING by which that child will KNOW THE IMPORTANCE of God and His Word!
B. Admonition
1. (Strong) -- calling attention to, that is, (by implication) mild rebuke or warning: - admonition.
2.
3. The use of God’s Word has its greatest effect with it is both SEEN and HEARD! When children SEE the parent reading the Bible, and SEE the parents putting Christ and His church first in their lives, the child respects what they HEAR.
C. Of the Lord
1. No other rule book merits inclusion in the raising of children! It is His Word that shall judge us all; and His word by which all must live!
2. Colossians
3:17 – Can this passage
permit ANYTHING interfering with the SETTING FORTH OF RIGHTEOUS EXAMPLE?
CONCLUSION:
What
parents owe their children is NOT material items. Such
things may ease a bit this world’s suffering, but they do absolutely NOTHING to
help them in gaining the most important of all things: ETERNAL LIFE. The
emphasis MUST be upon spiritual things! (