Back To School

The majority of public and private schools have resumed classes by this time.  As our children return to their secular educations, I would like for each one of us to ask ourselves, “What responsibility does a parent have for their children?”   Parents willingly elect to be responsible for the minds, hearts, and bodies of their children who did not choose them to exercise such prerogatives.  Parental duty is a sacred trust.  Children need concerned parents; they need education, guidance, discipline, and restraint.  What does a parent owe his child before God?

A constant concern of those who love God and their children is that of always doing what is right and best for their children.  We appreciate the words of Manoah, “Teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born” and “How shall we order the child?” (Judges 13:8, 12). 

The home is the first school the child attends.  The parents have a God-given responsibility to train their children.  “Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).  The principles of Christianity should be impressed upon the minds and hearts of our children at an early age.   What are the areas where we must train our children?

One of the great needs of our age is to teach children respect for authority.  Children need to be taught to respect their parents and to be obedient children. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" (Ephesians 6:1-2).  Children must be taught to respect all forms of authority: God, parental, civil and educational authority.  Teach you children to love God and his word.  If we give our children a deep and abiding faith in God it can be their strength and light throughout all of their life.  Faith in God does not rob life of its pleasure, but gives real meaning to life.    

Children must be taught honesty.  The value of truth and integrity must be impressed upon the tender minds of youth. 

Children need to be taught morality.  Children must be given high ideals in the home.  Ideals that challenge them to rise above the morals of the schools, the streets, and the world.

Children must be taught the dignity of work.  Let them know that a useful life is a blessed life and a life of ease and pleasure-seeking is empty and meaningless.  If we do everything for our children they soon become experienced in throwing the responsibility upon others.

How can one best teach his children?  The best method of teaching children is to set the proper example before them.  Children learn much by example.  Children learn as much or more from what their parents are, and what their parents do, than by what their parents teach by word.

Children are quick to detect any sham or hypocrisy.  Each parent needs to be a living example of what they want their children to be in life. 

The Kettering congregation is a family oriented congregation.  We have Bible classes for all ages that teach God’s word and God’s principles on Sunday morning and Wednesday evening.  We invite anyone to come and bring your children.  All are welcome.