WHAT PARENTS OWE CHILDREN

Intro.

1.It is not likely that any mortal will have more influence on the spiritual welfare of children than the parent (think about that parents!)                                                                    2.God wants parents to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 5:4). Children are blessed when parents will do so.                                                     a. Leaving the Lord out of child-rearing is to sin against God and child             3.Accordingly, parents have obligations to children beyond providing food, clothing, and shelter...

A. Parents, as all Christians, are living letters (2 Cor. 3:2,3)                                        1."Known and read of all men," but especially by our children                                2.There is not an adult who doesn't remember the example of his parents; neither a parent who won't be so remembered by his own children 

B.Examples teach values                                                                                        1.Parents are a living demonstration of what they consider important                      2.Children are powerfully impressed in SEEING parents worship God, read the Bible, and follow Christ daily; in HEARING them pray, sing praises, discuss Bible subjects, encourage and teach faithfulness                                                                                   3.God's compliment for Abraham: "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him..." (Gen. 18:19)

A.Emphasized under Old Covenant 1.Deut. 6:7,8; 31:9-13, etc. 

B.Compare with emphasis and time given to secular education (priorities?) 

C.Primary responsibility of educating children in Scripture belongs to the parent, not the church!                                                                                                                        1.Bible classes at church building are, at best, only supplemental yet do deserve support and help of parents (illustrate

A.Eli's example and God's judgment ("He restrained them not," 1 Sam. 3:13) 

B.Discipline is a mark of love (Prov. 13:24) 

C.Discipline removes foolishness and produces wisdom (Prov. 22:15; 29:15) 

D."The greatest social disaster of this century is the belief that abundant love makes discipline unnecessary."

E.Show that all punishment is not necessarily discipline                                            1.Especially that done in anger or with spirit of vindictiveness                                 2.Excessive and unwarranted punishment may provoke to wrath & discourage

(re. "Orphans of the Living" by Edgar A.Guest)

A.May we fulfill our God-given obligations to our children, to bring them up in the way they should go... (Prov. 22:6) 

Dan S. Shipley