"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
Deuteronomy 6:5-9
One of God’s most critical commandments addresses the relationship between the child and the parent. The Gospel teaches us how we must walk in a manner worthy of our calling in Christ and especially in our home. God is very concerned about life in the home. All Christians are commanded to submit to Christ and His rule and to one another as husbands, wives, and children. The home will be affected when we refuse to obey that command. Please join me as we face the great need to save our children from a dying world.
I. TEACHING OUR CHILDREN THE FEAR OF GOD:
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)
Christ modeled for us the beauty of submission when He gave himself for us as a sacrifice on the cross, doing His Father’s will (John 12:12-26). We must not exclude Christ and His principles of righteousness from our homes! The break down of the home has deeply impacted the Lord's church. Strong and godly homes have a tremendous power to raise strong and faithful children who, in the long run, can become strong, faithful Christians when they become adults. As faithful adults, they build strong and godly Christian homes whose Builder is Jesus, He whose kingdom is righteousness. A home that is built by God's wisdom can produce godly, strong, and faithful Christians. Such godly souls are a blessing to the Lord's church! They strengthen the church. These are the type of homes that produce leaders who will serve in many vital roles in the church. The saddest thing is that the Lord's church is suffering immensely because of the breakdown of the home. Instead of overcoming the world by our saltiness and devotion to Christ and His kingdom (being godly examples), we are overcome by the world and its lawlessness and darkness. We must take responsibility at once for things that are turning our homes upside down!
The most important teaching parents can do for their children is found in God's instructions, teaching our children the fear of God. When parents follow God's instructions, they will teach them to love God above everything, obey Him, fear Him, and worship Him joyfully. But words and actions are necessary to be successful. Christian parents play a foundational role in teaching their children daily the fear of God. Unfortunately, many Christian parents don't serve God faithfully and end up raising children who, as adults, don't serve God either. Their children grow up and are lost. That is very sad! Other reasons could be cultural influences combined with a lack of proper Bible teaching. The power of cultural influences is stronger than ever with the rise of media and the many technological devices (TV, movies, video games, music, social media, internet, texting, etc.). Most of these influences are ungodly. Even those children who were brought up in a Christian and godly home spend most of their time with other children who are not being raised to fear and love God and His Word.
All Christian parents must fight tooth and claw all negative cultural influences. They must instill principles of righteousness and God's Word in the lives of their children. It is not enough to take our children to church weekly. It is not enough to feed and clothe them well without teaching them the fear of God and obedience to His Word. Attendance alone (when we gather together to worship God) is not enough, and the central pillar of life without proper Biblical teaching or instruction. It is how we live our lives, and our actions, that will teach our children to do what is right as genuine children of God. Our children can indeed see where our priorities are. Parents are given the ultimate responsibility for the training of their children. So we must train our children to fear God and to save them spiritually.
God has put us, parents, in charge of our home, and we must lead appropriately according to the will of God. Our lives must be ordered and determined by God's kingdom and God's righteousness if we are indeed faithful followers of Christ. In doing this, you may rest assured you will be equipped to teach your children the fear of God and defeat all negative cultural influences that exist. We must be earnest about the souls of our children and learn from the wisdom of God written a long time ago (Deut. 10:12-13). We, as Christian and god-fearing parents, must walk worthy of the Gospel if we want our children to obey God and be saved. It is a foundational truth in saving our children!
We cannot expect our children to be faithful to God if we are partially committed to Christ. When both parents fear God and are devoted, dedicated, and zealous to the Lord and His work, their children most likely will follow their parents' lead successfully. The church cannot save our children. Parents are the only ones who can save them with the Lord's help and instruction found in His revealed Word. No Bible classes and sermons at a church building weekly will influence our children's lives and save them. Parents must walk the path of righteousness and practice what they teach their children so that they may see the way to heaven. The power of godly example from both parents is vital for them to be saved and go to heaven (Deuteronomy 6:5-9).
II. THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST THE ILLS OF THE WORLD:
The great message of God’s Grace in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that sinners can and must be forgiven and reconciled or restored to God’s favor. Jesus and His disciples cried out that all men everywhere must repent, and they taught the world the new life, the new way of living that God requires, that which pleases our Savior and Lord. We must be restored to the ideals of righteous living. One of the most beautiful fruits of that life is seen in the home as designed by God: a home where the Bible, the Master’s will, is taught and sought, a home where fathers, mothers, and children behave in the beautiful ways that bring peace and joy to our lives and glory to our Creator. Is this an impossible dream? Without a clear understanding of God's intent for marriage and design for the home, dysfunction, moral anarchy, and chaos reign.
You see, God had a design in mind when He created the family. And when we follow His divine pattern for the home, we bear much fruit to His glory. The family is the hub around which all of life should be organized. The preeminent responsibility of every parent is to teach the Gospel to their children so that they may be saved from the wrath of God. Our primary goal must be to point our children to Christ always, in word and deed. Our labor is a labor of love, not just to provide for their physical needs but also to nurture their souls for eternity. A parent’s highest ambition is to see their children walking in the Light, in Truth and righteousness. Are we making the Bible to be loved in our homes? Do we have long-lasting structures to enshrine God’s Word in our homes?
So, who rules the cradle in our culture today? The public schools, government, caretakers, strangers, and such, but not the parents. Sadly, there are fewer and fewer women and men today who accept the importance of their role in helping to bring up godly children to beautify God's kingdom. Godly parenting is shepherding the hearts of our children in the ways of God's wisdom. As we shepherd the hearts or souls of our children by teaching them to delight in the Word of God, God's Word will be the power that saves their lives, instead of whatever other formula society offers that might produce children who merely believe. God's Word is powerful! If we teach our children the wisdom of God's Word and its power, our children will be able to withstand all of the threats to their FAITH, come what may.
The world is in desperate need of homes where God is recognized as the Head; His Word as the only guiding light; and His glory as the only motivating power. Apart from these Biblical principles of righteousness to govern the home, our home and family system is in danger of collapsing altogether. This is leading us to a blatant ignorance of authority, like the ignorance that flourishes in decadent societies. God calls for faithful parents to guide, nurture, and train their children in His ways as His perfect arrangement (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4; I Timothy 5:14). The godly home is our last line of defense against the ills that overtake the world. It is commonly said, "As goes the home, so goes the nation and the church." God give us Christian Homes!
CONCLUSION:
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 is full of practical wisdom about the godly home that does not forget God. When one loves God, he will also love His Word. When it comes to child-rearing, parents must practice what they preach. There must be a personal example and spiritual teaching and training. Bible study with our children is a priceless opportunity!
- Parents must teach their children to love, respect, and obey God supremely.
- They must teach them love for their neighbor. How to respect and submit to all authority.
- They must teach them to humble themselves, exercise self-disciple, and do hard work.
- They must learn how to be gracious and merciful to all.
- They must be reminded that God is watching and that they will reap what they sow.
- And that they must keep learning and growing in the fear of God.
These are fundamental and priceless truths that will save our children. Remember that our primary goal is to teach our children how to walk with God as we ourselves are endeavoring to walk. Leading by example is not enough sometimes since we must also invest time to teach them properly (Eph. 6:4). Without Bible knowledge, the wisdom of God, and the path of righteousness in their lives, our children are most likely to be lost in this world of darkness (the culture around them). Remember, our job as parents is first to bring up godly children even while we prepare them to make a living.
Are you aware that one of the biggest problems the church and our society are facing today is that we are raising up a generation of spoiled, rebellious, and unrestrained children?! Just look around you! Our badly behaved children (because they didn't receive enough discipline and instruction at home) are the ones that are leading our nation and the church now and in the future. What do you see? Nothing but sin, lawlessness, and apostasy everywhere! Indeed, the future of our nation and society as a whole doesn't look too promising or bright! Why? Simply because parents have failed to apply God's wisdom and instruction (the fear of God) in their home. So, as a result of this, there is nothing but sin, chaos, violence, and lawlessness. Parents, wake up and smell the coffee before it is forever too late, for God will judge you for withholding correction and instruction as ordained by His Word!!
“May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace. Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD.” (Psalm 144:12, 15)
Consider the following poem I composed about the home that does not forget God.
"The Lovely Home"
Oh, how blessed is the home whose builders are fathers and mothers
And where sons and daughters are trained by real teachers,
Who, by their examples, show the true adornment of the heart.
Oh sweet home where the heart of the child is molded
With sweetness and love.
Oh that God would give each parent a vision of the glory and splendor
Of nurturing and training the hearts of their children for eternity.
It is a divine work.
If only they could see that there is no other work so noble and sacred,
Worthy and holy, as the training and building of little hearts.
There is no inheritance that a parent can pass on to a child
That can compare to the influence and blessing of a true godly home.
Oh, what splendor is found in the home,
Where the love of God reigns
And His wisdom directs everyone's footsteps in righteousness.
Oh, how happy is the home where hearts are pure and holy.
For no calamity, no great sorrow, no power of evil, no earthly loss,
Can ever rob them of the holy influences and memories of a home that is built by God.
Oh, what a blessing is the sacred home,
For it is a sanctuary, where men and women
Can be free from the world's perils and dismay.
Oh sweet home where the weary and faint
Can retreat and rest to gather new strength
For tomorrow's battles and toils.
Oh how magnificent is the home
Where love learns discipline and strength,
And where love forms character.
No career is more worthy
Than the making of a godly and beautiful home, “home-making.”
For he who builds a sanctuary for God,
Opens a bountiful fountain of blessing for all men.
Oh godly home that dwells with beauty and strength
Where hearts are inspired and trained
For noble and victorious living,
Equipped for life's battles and temptations.
Oh, that we might heed God's sacred calling
To train the little corners of our kingdom
Called home with strength and purity
To make them, brave and loyal,
Worthy of our Almighty God.
May we never allow this world's constant distractions to squander these precious opportunities to teach our precious children what really matters, the fear of God, love for His Word, and obedience to all of His commands (Deut. 6:8-9). May we never abandon our God-given duty but make an effort to teach our children the riches found in God's Word, that they might bear abundant fruit for His glory.
Luci