PARENTING: ANCIENT AND MODERN

Raising Children In The Fear of God For Positive Impact on Society

Deut.6:4-7; Prov.22:6; 1Kings 3:6-9; Psalm 44:12

The Bible is full of wonderful teachings on how to instruct our children, showing them love, giving them the necessary nourishment, instructing them in the fear of God, correcting them when they make mistakes and teaching them to know right and wrong. As we progress you will notice that this Bible method of child upbringing is vastly different from what is used by many societies and government bodies. The Bible method of parenting is the most excellent way. Children brought up in true Christian homes are equipped to positively impact the society. A true Christian home with godly fathers and mothers is the best environment for raising children in the fear of God and leading them to salvation in Christ Jesus.

CHILD TRAINING IN ANCIENT ISRAEL

Deut.6:4-9, 20-25

1.   Israelites were commanded to teach their children the Law and commandments of the Lord their God (Deut. 6:5-7). The process of this teaching was regular repetition and object lessons. In Israel this passage of Deuteronomy is known as the “Shema Israel” (שמע ישראל). It was recited morning and evening and every Sabbath by practicing Jews even till this day. This would enable them to know and apply the Law correctly in every situation.

From birth the Israelite child is brought in contact with the God of Israel. He is trained in the Law, the Commandments and Covenant of God. All male children are circumcised on the eighth day. At the age of five they enter the Torah school. At age 13 they undertake the Bar-Mitsvah – making them sons of the covenant between God and Abraham.

2.   Jewish parents were commanded to explain the meaning and the reason for the commandments to their children. It should remind them that God delivered them from the hand of Pharaoh and of Egyptian bondage. This deliverance was in accord with God’s promise to Abraham. They should teach the children to fear the Lord their God and to remain holy unto Him.

The book of Proverbs is full of practical instructions to children – sons:

Prov.1:8 - “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother:”

Prov. 2:1 “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, And hide my commandments with thee;”

Prov. 3:1 - “My son, forget not my law; But let thine heart keep my commandments:”

Prov.4:1 “Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding.”

Prov. 5:1 - “My son, attend unto my wisdom, And bow thine ear to my understanding:”

Prov.23:26 - “My son, give me thine heart, And let thine eyes observe my ways.”

 

Education of children in ancient Israel centred in the family and for the child to become God fearing. By contrast Greek education was centred in the gymnasium and for the good of the city.

Bible education of children was directed at moral and spiritual virtue, but education in Egypt focused on preparing a young man to become a scribe for the government.

Bible education of children does not focus on social class, but in Egypt educational literature was largely for the elite.

Bible education of children begins with the fear of God as the source and goal of all wisdom. This has no parallel in ancient literature (see NIV Essential Study Bible p781).

GOVERNMENT POLICY ON CHILD UPBRINGING

There is a huge amount of material on parenting produced by the Scottish government: - Government Policy on Parenting, Scotland; Growing Up in Scotland. The Scottish government boldly declares,

 

 “We want to make Scotland the best place in the world to grow up”.

The policy has this to say about parents: Parents – and by parents we are referring not just to mums and dads but anyone who is involved in raising children of any age – are the single biggest influence on a child’s life: caregiver, role model, teacher and guide all rolled into one.

 

There is a huge interest in child upbringing in the government and a strong pledge to support parents in this task. £18 million was committed to “universal parent and family support”; £20 million to support “prevention and early intervention”

 

The Government recognises the vital role of parents on loving and nurturing their children which will promote health, mental health and wellbeing.

 

It says that loving children does not mean always letting them have their own way, but involves, (i) providing a positive role model, (ii) setting appropriate boundaries and applying them consistently. This will lead to children developing acceptable behaviour, how to get along with other people, how to resolve differences in the appropriate way. In doing this, basic activities such as talking, listening, eating together, doing chores and playing together in the family are vital.

 

The UNCRC declares that positive parenting is the right of every child. “…the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding.”

 

 

CHRISTIAN PARENTING TODAY

Deut.4:9-11; 6:4-9, 20-25; 2Tim.1:5; Eph.6:1-4; Prov.22:6; 23:13-28

There is abundant help for parents in the bible on how best to bring up your children. You can use what other legitimate means and resources available from government sources as additional support when necessary.

It is unwise as well as illegal to keep your children from proper public education for whatever reason.

What are the goals of Christian parenting (seek feedback from congregation)?

·        Overall health and positive development of the child

·        Providing a biblical role model for the child

·        Recognising the high position of children in God’s sight (Luke 18:16-17; Mat.18:3-4)

·        Teaching children the fear of the Lord

·        Teaching them to learn to respect and appreciate other people

·        Teaching, admonishing and nourish children with the Word of God

·        Leading children to place their trust in Jesus for their salvation

·        Providing them with biblical guiding principles for positive living in adult life.

·        Leading children to seek God’s wisdom for living (1Kg.3:6-9)

·        Protecting them from bad influence (excessive TV, internet, phone) which have the potential of jeopardizing their faith.

·        Providing a buffer against godless and dangerous worldviews.

·        When seeking help/advice to bring up children, seek from godly people, sound in the word of God. Not everything you see on television is right. Not every practice by other parents is good

·        Helping them to grow up with a godly and positive outlook as they face the world.

To do this requires that the parent should learn to be a positive role model. It is what you learn from God that you should teach your child. Many people leave the education of their children to be done by the government and the public institutions. But the government is not God and the public institutions are not the parents!

Follow the instruction in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 20-25. Do not teach your children any form of worldliness. They already see too much of it on TV, in school and from friends. There will be many times you will have to counter negative thought flows coming from external influence. There will be other times when you will have counter wrong teaching with the Word of God.

 

Proper Christian upbringing will prepare the child for the risky, even dangerous situations that life will surely present them. Following Bible pattern will equip the children to desire wisdom in every situation – wisdom above pleasure, wisdom above friendship, wisdom above wealth (1Kings 3:6-9). Parents must teach children differentiate between right and wrong. They should be taught how to stand for what they believe. If a child does not develop the ability to stand for their own conviction, they will fall to peer pressure.

 

To be successful in raising godly children you will need the help of God. To get God’s help you will first need to be saved (John 3:1-3). How do you get saved?

(i)                  Recognise your present situation (Rom.3:10) – that you are not good!

(ii)                 Recognize your sinful state (Rom.3:23) – you have sinned!

(iii)                Recognize the consequences of sin (Rom.6:23) – the wages of sin is death!

(iv)               Recognise that God does not want you to die in sin (Rom.5:8) – Jesus Christ died for you (John 3:16)

(v)                Repent and turn to Christ for salvation (Rom.10:9-13)

If you follow these simple steps you will become a born again Christian and you will be on your way to becoming a godly mode of a Christian parent. Children are the future of the Church and we must invest in them now.

 

 

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

v  May 26 (Monday), 2014: CHURCH/FAMILY OUTING DAY

Venue: Blaire Drummond Park

Participants: ALL MEMBERS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS

v  May 30 – June 1, 2014: PRAYER AND FASTING/REVIVAL WEEKEND

Venue: To be Announced.

v  June 28, 2014: SCOTLAND DCLM REGIONAL WORKERS TRAINING SUMMIT

Venue: Westwood QHotels, Cumbernauld

Cost: £35 per participant.