Teaching Your Children the Word of God, Part 2

2Timothy 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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (NKJV)

Who is going to do it? 

Who is responsible for the spiritual growth of your children? The answer is, YOU.  Do not count on others to teach your children for you! God has not ordained Sunday school, AWANA, youth group, or anyone else to teach your children. Family discipleship is God’s idea, and it is worldly wisdom that tells us to let “experts trained in such matters” to teach our children. While I believe strongly that men should take up this responsibility in the home, it is just reality that not all men step up to that role. If this is the case in your home, please don’t wait for your husband to teach your children scripture! Pray for him, encourage him, love him, but do not wait for him. Time is of the essence where your children are concerned. They grow quickly and in the blink of an eye their childhood will be past and the opportunity to mold them will have vanished.

§   “Psalm 90:12  So, teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

§  Deuteronomy 6:5-9  You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Perhaps you are convinced that teaching your children scripture is vital to their spiritual growth. Now what? It is a heavy responsibility with eternity weighing in the balance. Is the enemy trying to convince you that you are not “good enough” or interesting enough to teach your children?  Who IS interesting or powerful enough to teach something as authoritative and wonderful as the Word of the Living God? Are any of us qualified for such a noble task? No we are not. Neither is Mr. Teacher on the internet or Mr. Pastor at your church, but Jesus IS interesting enough and His Spirit IS powerful enough to give you and your children understanding in His time. The Word of God is taught through the mouths of men, but will fall on deaf ears unless the Lord gives understanding.

The first thing you have to do is accept the fact that you can not change the heart of your child. You may be a dynamic teacher or maybe not. You may have a love to teach or maybe not. You may be able to come up with all kinds of analogies and interesting stories to reinforce lessons or maybe not. Is your confidence in yourself? That is where you must start. Take all assurance you have that you are qualified in teaching the Word of God and get rid of it and put all your confidence in Jesus. You must be confident and unwavering in your faith that the Word of God is alive and powerful! You can teach, you can guide, you can even require moral behavior – but only God himself can touch the heart and change it. This is done only by His Spirit convicting them of their sin through His Word. Just be faithful to feed your children, and trust God to be faithful to grow them. Confess your weaknesses before Him and allow Him to be your strength. Trust Him to be your teacher, trust Him to teach your children through you.

§   Philippians 2:13 …for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

§    Isaiah 55:11  So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void [ineffectual], but it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

§   Psalm 40:8 I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.

§   Psalm 119:9-11 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!  Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

§   2Corinthians 12:9  And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

§   James 1:5  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him

Don’t fall for the “trap” of thinking that children can only learn shallow concepts of Christ and His word. Children can understand the deep things of God, don’t sell them short! So many church programs are childish with all the related “bells and whistles” attached, but this, while attention grabbing, does not equal effective teaching. I believe such approaches can actually hinder the spiritual growth of children as it appeals more to their flesh than their spirits. You do not need puppets, coloring sheets, loud music and nonsense to teach them biblical concepts. Rely on the Holy Spirit to be their teacher and give them understanding. If we present the gospel in silliness, that is exactly what they will think of it! Be assured that I am not saying that we should make Bible Study somber and gloomy! – I think in and of itself, the Word of God is exciting. I am just suggesting that appealing to the flesh for the sake of the gospel, does not bring about spiritual results!

§   1Corinthians 2:1-5,10-14  And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. …But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

§   . Matthew 16:17  Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

§   Luke 18:16-17  But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."

§   John 12:32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself."

§   John 6:44-45  No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, 'AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT BY GOD.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.

So what are you waiting for? Set a TIME, get started and be consistent! Inconsistency proves to your children that you do not value the Word of God, so why would they? I was convicted at one time because I was treating Bible lessons like a school subject. If there were days that we took off of school then we did not dig into the Word and we’d also neglect it on the weekend. Do I really value the Word of God as only a mere school subject? My children will not value it anymore than I do. You would never let your children skip a meal, don’t starve them spiritually for even one day! Jesus said we LIVE by the Word of God!  There will be times when you don’t feel like it, do it anyway! There will be distractions, do it anyway. There have been many times I have gathered my children for worship, after being up all night with a baby, and was literally holding my head up with my hands. How much did my children get that day, God knows and that’s His responsibility. I did what He told me to do. So let’s get started, your children are starving!

§   Luke 4:4  But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.' "

§   Psalm 68:19  Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah

§    Hebrews 10:22-25  …let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

§    2Timothy 2:15  Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

§    Hebrews 3:13-14  but exhort one another daily, while it is called "TODAY," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.

I pray you are being blessed as I express my heart concerning our children. Please meditate over the scriptures I have shared and ask God to birth a vision within you like only He can.

Striving to be a mom for His glory, Regina

Teaching Your Children the Word of God, Part 1

Why is it important to teach the Word of God to your children?

2Timothy 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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (NKJV)

The Lord began to work in me several years ago, convicting me about neglecting to feed my children the Word of God. I got around to it occasionally, and I knew it was very important. I just didn’t discipline myself and make it a priority, even though my own time with the Lord was very important to me. Be assured: God can cause my children to believe in Him WITHOUT me, I am well aware. But I believe with all my heart, and the Word of God is clear, these precious souls have been put into the care of my husband and I for a short time, to train them up in the way they should go and send them out as mighty arrows of faith!

As parents, we want so much for our children! We want them to be educated well, we want them to be happy, we want them to have manners, memories, friends, opportunities, and toys, and for the most part, we would make any sacrifice to see those things accomplished in their life. Do we have a grasp on the reality, that if our children do not repent of their sin and trust in Christ, that their eternity (forever and ever and ever) will be spent in torment and void of the presence of an amazing Savior regardless of their great achievements and experiences here on earth? We are willing to spend our whole paycheck to buy the equipment needed for the opportunity to play on a team or dance with a company and even spend countless hours making sure they don’t miss a practice and running them to and fro, but what are we willing to do to feed them the only thing that equips them for salvation eternally, a strong walk in the Lord and true success? When we make obvious sacrifices to achieve worldly things in our children’s lives, we are teaching them what is really important and they will carry those teachings into their adult lives and ultimately eternity.

So, what should be the Christian’s goal for bringing up children?

The goal of child rearing is FAITH in the work of Jesus Christ which produces fruitfulness according to the pleasure of God’s will. If this is not your focused goal, get on your knees and ask God to give you a vision for your family- so that they do not perish!

 Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he..

If God has placed a vision within you, then your very heart’s desire is to see your children grow in the grace of God and make that all important decision to live their life in the power of His grace! In order for your children to put their trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord they must HEAR the Word of God. It is God’s Word, not our reasoning, not our teaching of morals and behavior, not wishing, and not the compelling alter call that appealed to their emotions in children’s church that will cause your children to become “wise for salvation”.

 Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
 2Timothy 3:14-15 …continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have KNOWN the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

We ALL have a sin problem, including your sweet 6 year old. It is sin that separates us eternally from God and Jesus is the only answer! No one can accept the Gospel, except that we realize our sinful fallen state and repent of that sin. That can only be accomplished by understanding the Holiness of God and His righteous standards through His Word, without the knowledge of our sin there can be no repentance, the law is our school master or teacher that points us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). Your children need to understand their state of rebellion! They need to understand that they deserve hell, there is not one of us who is good (Romans 3:12). Don’t build up false self esteem to make them feel good about themselves, we don’t want them to esteem themselves, but rather esteem God! When we realize our sinfulness, the words, “Jesus loves me” has a far greater and more profound meaning, because we realize we do not deserve His love.

 Isaiah 53:5-6 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
 Luke 7:47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."
 Lamentations 3:40-42 Let us search out and examine our ways, And turn back to the LORD; Let us lift our hearts and hands To God in heaven. We have transgressed and rebelled; You have not pardoned.

There was youtube video circulating recently that showed one young man witnessing to another. The first man says, “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life”. The second man responds, “That’s good, because I love me and have a wonderful plan for my life too.” What is wrong with this picture? It is not the gospel. Does God love us? Well, of course. He may even have a plan for your life, and it might be wonderful, but it is not the gospel. The gospel is REPENT AND BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND BE FREE FROM YOUR SIN. If children are convinced, by well meaning parents and Sunday school teachers, that they are wonderful and are lacking nothing, why would they turn to Jesus for salvation? Our sufficiency is in Christ, and Christ alone, and when HE is lifted up (as King, as Savior, as the Perfect Lamb, as Judge, as GOD) then He will draw all men to Himself - salvation. (John 12:32)

As parents, we are very concerned about the education our children are receiving. This is natural and appropriate, but what I would like to reflect on for a moment is priorities. What are they learning? We agonize over grades and labels (i.e. gifted or learning disabled) and at any cost we will help our children achieve academic excellence, ultimately teaching them that education is far more important than anything else. Academic centered teaching is useless in comparison to the wisdom and understanding that can be obtained through learning, studying and memorizing the Word of God! Intellect “puffs up”, God’s Word teaches us to rely on Him! (1 Corinthians 8:12) “There is nothing wrong with wanting children to succeed… (as long as we have a biblical view of success)” ~Voddie Baucham.  All academics should be taught as secondary to the Word of God, and all academics CAN and SHOULD be built upon the foundation of TRUTH, the Bible. Do you believe, really believe, that God’s Word can bring your children wisdom, riches and life (eternal)?

 2Peter 1:3-11 As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, GIVING ALL DILIGENCE, add to your FAITH VIRTUE, to virtue KNOWLEDGE, to knowledge SELF CONTROL, to self-control PERSEVERANCE, to perseverance GODLINESS, to godliness BROTHERLY KINDNESS, and to brotherly kindness LOVE. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
 1Corinthians 3:11,18-19 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ…Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God…
 Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
 Matthew 16:26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
 Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
 Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
 Proverbs 4:5-9 Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her [wisdom and knowledge], and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her. She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you."

The Word of God is the ONLY thing you can give your children that is everlasting and eternal. The things of this earth will pass away.

 Psalm 119:160 The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
 Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever."

It is important to teach them daily what God’s word has to say about life and things pertaining to “life and Godliness”. God's Word is ture and there is nothing that is more important, nothing. Please, open the Word of God with your children TODAY.

 John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
 John 17:17 Sanctify [purify] them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Striving to be a mom for His glory, Regina