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