Chapter 4
Instruction in the Word of God Equips Children for Right Living!
Both speaking and teaching the written Word of God is very important to our children. Deut 6:6-9
says, “And ‘these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and ‘you shall
teach them diligently to your sons 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 up. And you shall bind them as a sign
on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. And you shall write them on the door
posts of your house and on your gates.”
Much energy is spent discussing the Word of God in the home. We love God, so tell the children
all about Him and His Word. Instead of choosing books to entertain them and bedtime stories that
are secular, choose little Christian Bible stories that teach them about the things of God. There
are some wonderful books for every age that will do this and it is fun as well. Constant training can
be creative, joyful, filled with delight and not drudgery. It can be a time when you are giving them
your undivided attention, either at breakfast, or before a nap time, or at bedtime talking about God
and having devotions. 2 Tim 3:14-15 tells us that Timothy learned from his mother and
grandmother about the Lord and this led to his salvation. WOW! Wouldn’t we like to be the ones
who lead our children to their salvation experience?
Tim 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every
good work.” This wonderful Scripture portion is so useful in child raising for us. Scripture is
profitable for teaching our children (so that they are not led astray and later go into foolishness). It
is profitable for reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness (so) “that the man (child) of
God may be perfect (entire, complete) thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
In Proverbs 4:1-13 Solomon is telling his son to listen to his teachings. Because the Words of the
Scriptures would preserve him, keep him, promote him, brings him honor, and gives him an
ornament of grace or a crown of glory. What a wonderful gift you can pass down to your child.
If our children heed our teaching, they will not limp when they walk (be hampered), they will not
stumble when they run (this race of life).
But if we fail to give them instruction in Truth, it says in Prov 5:23, “he will die for lack of, and in the
greatness of his folly he will go astray.” We have such an awesome responsibility as mothers,
because we have been given the responsibility to turn these children’s hearts unto the Lord and
teach them His ways, so that they might end up men of righteousness. Without this training, it will
be harder for them to end up this way.
We are told in the Word that those who HEAR and DO belong to the family of God. Let the Word
dwell in your hearts richly (in us), so it can be given to them (our children) to both teach them and
admonish them.
We may not be able to all be missionaries on a foreign field, but we have just as important a
ministry right here in our own home. It is just as important as love and discipline are. If we become
EXAMPLES of the Word being lived out, then it won’t be dead letter to them either. They will SEE
it for themselves and follow your example.
We have TWO tools. One is reading the Word so that we can teach right principles. And the other
is prayer. We can ask God to give His promises to our children, as His children, and pray
blessings upon them and their lives. We can see God break bondages of sins that we see coming
out in our children. And all of these things can be accomplished through prayer.
Now let’s look at the results!
“They will teach their children” (Deut 4:8-13).
“His Spirit and His Words shall not depart from their children or their grandchildren” (Isaiah 59:21).
“thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee” I Tim 4:16
Prov 22:6 says, “train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart
from it.” We are to train up a child. This includes, teaching them the Word and its’ principles,
directing them and teaching them how to pray, inspiring them towards righteous decisions over
fleshly decisions, guiding them towards things of the Lord.
Children minister too!
To God (Psalm 8:2), “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise.” We can
teach them to praise their Heavenly Father and be thankful to Him for everything.
The CHILDREN shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David” when Jesus rode the donkey into
Jerusalem. Their little spirits recognized who He was. (Matt 21:12-16).
“Young men and maidens, old men and CHILDREN let them praise the name of the Lord” (Psalm
148:12-13).
They can minister to us also by example. Their persistence, their shamefacedness, hanging their
heads when they are repentant and sorry for what they have done. Jesus used children as an
example to us. He told us that we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven unless we become as a
little child. One who openly, unquestionable, believes what he is told. They are NOT prejudiced
and don’t put stock in social standings. They are more giving then we are at times. I remember
our son John on one of his birthdays, just up and gave his brother Jedidiah one of his gifts that
were on the table, without even opening it first, so that his brother would have a gift to open up
too. He gave his toy away without question or thought of how good that present might be inside
that unwrapped box. Children often have a fair sense of justice. Children don’t hold grudges
against people. Children are tender towards animals and the hurts of others. They love without
condition. God has chosen the foolish things to confound the wide. He chose the weak to
confound the mighty, the base things (those of low social position or humble birth) and the things
which are despised. Children are simple concerning evil and are without malice.
Children according to Psalms 127:3-5 are to the faithful, our reward, and our heritage, At times
they even are used by the Holy Spirit to speak to us a word that builds our faith when we are under
attack and causes us to remain strong.
Be sensitive to what they say, watch and learn from them, and find creative ways to instruct, pray
and teach. Stay on their own level, don’t try to bring them up to yours. Their minds can only
handle things at their level right now.
When my boys were in junior high and high school, I use to require that my sons, when they got
home from school do twenty minutes of chores each day, and then go and read 1 chapter in either
the Living Bible or the series called “Bible Stories for Children” by the 7th Day Adventist. One son
could read the Living New Testament just fine and understand it. The other son was younger, and
could read the Bible Stories for Children series just fine. But they each had to read a chapter each
day, before they were allowed to go out and play. When they read each day, on a daily consistent
basis, the Holy Spirit can take the Word and cause it to go from their head into their heart, and the
Word of God will not return void in the end. The Holy Spirit then takes the LIVING Word of God
and stores it inside their hearts and minds and brings it to their remembrance when it is needed at
a future date. It is our job to put it there for the Holy Spirit to use. By reading the Word daily, our
children, by the Holy Spirit of course, can grown spiritually into fine young people for the Lord.
So, you see we need to teach them to pray daily, read, learn to praise, give thanksgiving, and
make their requests known unto God. Some people even make a prayer list or have their children
make a list of people and situations to pray for. For example: our nation, other nations,
missionaries, pastors, teachers, family members, school, church, friends and so forth. Also it is
important to teach them to confess their sins that they might have committed that day to the Lord
and ask for His forgiveness. Teach them that prayer is a part of their daily lives and that prayer is
our way of communicating with our Father on a daily basis. If we do this, He becomes very REAL
in their hearts, He becomes a Personal God to them and they learn that He answers their prayers
and watches over them and loves them. Thus, they love Him in return and develop into strong
spiritual beings and children for the Lord!
Of course we must make these things a part of our own life each day as well. So that we can get
free from the old man, walk in newness of life, have different attitudes created in us, and begins to
function with the mind of Christ instead of our own minds.
Oh what a privilege we parents have, and oh how sad it is for children who do not have the
opportunity to be raised by Christian parents who can show them the way.
Instruction in the Word of God Equips Children for Right Living!
Both speaking and teaching the written Word of God is very important to our children. Deut 6:6-9
says, “And ‘these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and ‘you shall
teach them diligently to your sons 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 up. And you shall bind them as a sign
on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. And you shall write them on the door
posts of your house and on your gates.”
Much energy is spent discussing the Word of God in the home. We love God, so tell the children
all about Him and His Word. Instead of choosing books to entertain them and bedtime stories that
are secular, choose little Christian Bible stories that teach them about the things of God. There
are some wonderful books for every age that will do this and it is fun as well. Constant training can
be creative, joyful, filled with delight and not drudgery. It can be a time when you are giving them
your undivided attention, either at breakfast, or before a nap time, or at bedtime talking about God
and having devotions. 2 Tim 3:14-15 tells us that Timothy learned from his mother and
grandmother about the Lord and this led to his salvation. WOW! Wouldn’t we like to be the ones
who lead our children to their salvation experience?
Tim 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every
good work.” This wonderful Scripture portion is so useful in child raising for us. Scripture is
profitable for teaching our children (so that they are not led astray and later go into foolishness). It
is profitable for reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness (so) “that the man (child) of
God may be perfect (entire, complete) thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
In Proverbs 4:1-13 Solomon is telling his son to listen to his teachings. Because the Words of the
Scriptures would preserve him, keep him, promote him, brings him honor, and gives him an
ornament of grace or a crown of glory. What a wonderful gift you can pass down to your child.
If our children heed our teaching, they will not limp when they walk (be hampered), they will not
stumble when they run (this race of life).
But if we fail to give them instruction in Truth, it says in Prov 5:23, “he will die for lack of, and in the
greatness of his folly he will go astray.” We have such an awesome responsibility as mothers,
because we have been given the responsibility to turn these children’s hearts unto the Lord and
teach them His ways, so that they might end up men of righteousness. Without this training, it will
be harder for them to end up this way.
We are told in the Word that those who HEAR and DO belong to the family of God. Let the Word
dwell in your hearts richly (in us), so it can be given to them (our children) to both teach them and
admonish them.
We may not be able to all be missionaries on a foreign field, but we have just as important a
ministry right here in our own home. It is just as important as love and discipline are. If we become
EXAMPLES of the Word being lived out, then it won’t be dead letter to them either. They will SEE
it for themselves and follow your example.
We have TWO tools. One is reading the Word so that we can teach right principles. And the other
is prayer. We can ask God to give His promises to our children, as His children, and pray
blessings upon them and their lives. We can see God break bondages of sins that we see coming
out in our children. And all of these things can be accomplished through prayer.
Now let’s look at the results!
“They will teach their children” (Deut 4:8-13).
“His Spirit and His Words shall not depart from their children or their grandchildren” (Isaiah 59:21).
“thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee” I Tim 4:16
Prov 22:6 says, “train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart
from it.” We are to train up a child. This includes, teaching them the Word and its’ principles,
directing them and teaching them how to pray, inspiring them towards righteous decisions over
fleshly decisions, guiding them towards things of the Lord.
Children minister too!
To God (Psalm 8:2), “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise.” We can
teach them to praise their Heavenly Father and be thankful to Him for everything.
The CHILDREN shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David” when Jesus rode the donkey into
Jerusalem. Their little spirits recognized who He was. (Matt 21:12-16).
“Young men and maidens, old men and CHILDREN let them praise the name of the Lord” (Psalm
148:12-13).
They can minister to us also by example. Their persistence, their shamefacedness, hanging their
heads when they are repentant and sorry for what they have done. Jesus used children as an
example to us. He told us that we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven unless we become as a
little child. One who openly, unquestionable, believes what he is told. They are NOT prejudiced
and don’t put stock in social standings. They are more giving then we are at times. I remember
our son John on one of his birthdays, just up and gave his brother Jedidiah one of his gifts that
were on the table, without even opening it first, so that his brother would have a gift to open up
too. He gave his toy away without question or thought of how good that present might be inside
that unwrapped box. Children often have a fair sense of justice. Children don’t hold grudges
against people. Children are tender towards animals and the hurts of others. They love without
condition. God has chosen the foolish things to confound the wide. He chose the weak to
confound the mighty, the base things (those of low social position or humble birth) and the things
which are despised. Children are simple concerning evil and are without malice.
Children according to Psalms 127:3-5 are to the faithful, our reward, and our heritage, At times
they even are used by the Holy Spirit to speak to us a word that builds our faith when we are under
attack and causes us to remain strong.
Be sensitive to what they say, watch and learn from them, and find creative ways to instruct, pray
and teach. Stay on their own level, don’t try to bring them up to yours. Their minds can only
handle things at their level right now.
When my boys were in junior high and high school, I use to require that my sons, when they got
home from school do twenty minutes of chores each day, and then go and read 1 chapter in either
the Living Bible or the series called “Bible Stories for Children” by the 7th Day Adventist. One son
could read the Living New Testament just fine and understand it. The other son was younger, and
could read the Bible Stories for Children series just fine. But they each had to read a chapter each
day, before they were allowed to go out and play. When they read each day, on a daily consistent
basis, the Holy Spirit can take the Word and cause it to go from their head into their heart, and the
Word of God will not return void in the end. The Holy Spirit then takes the LIVING Word of God
and stores it inside their hearts and minds and brings it to their remembrance when it is needed at
a future date. It is our job to put it there for the Holy Spirit to use. By reading the Word daily, our
children, by the Holy Spirit of course, can grown spiritually into fine young people for the Lord.
So, you see we need to teach them to pray daily, read, learn to praise, give thanksgiving, and
make their requests known unto God. Some people even make a prayer list or have their children
make a list of people and situations to pray for. For example: our nation, other nations,
missionaries, pastors, teachers, family members, school, church, friends and so forth. Also it is
important to teach them to confess their sins that they might have committed that day to the Lord
and ask for His forgiveness. Teach them that prayer is a part of their daily lives and that prayer is
our way of communicating with our Father on a daily basis. If we do this, He becomes very REAL
in their hearts, He becomes a Personal God to them and they learn that He answers their prayers
and watches over them and loves them. Thus, they love Him in return and develop into strong
spiritual beings and children for the Lord!
Of course we must make these things a part of our own life each day as well. So that we can get
free from the old man, walk in newness of life, have different attitudes created in us, and begins to
function with the mind of Christ instead of our own minds.
Oh what a privilege we parents have, and oh how sad it is for children who do not have the
opportunity to be raised by Christian parents who can show them the way.
| I want to thank our dear son, John Kehrli, for building me this beautiful website. I am so proud of it and hope that you too will enjoy the things he has put on this site to make it meaningful to you. |
| New Sections: Husbands & Wives Parenting Online Sermons Church Finder Missions One Year Bible Proverbs 31 Woman |
| New Sections: Husbands & Wives Parenting Online Sermons Church Finder Missions One Year Bible Proverbs 31 Woman |
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