First, God’s word: “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:3-5).
Parents, our first and primary responsibility is to get our children ready for heaven! It is to get them prepared to stand before the judgment seat of Jehovah God. Sports will not do it. Music lessons will not do it. Social clubs will not do it. It is very disappointing to see parents (especially dads) who think kids involved in sports is the end-all and be-all of parenting. If your kids do not have a relationship with Jesus, everything else was wasted time!
Also, do not leave Bible-training to the church, its Bible classes nor its youth program. They can supplement but they cannot replace. Also, do not leave all the Bible-training in your home to your wife! If kids see mom as the instructor and not dad, they will grow up thinking that religion is for women and not men. Don’t let Satan use that as an excuse to lead your children away from Christ!
Teach your children that Bible reading and its stories are relevant. Constantly ask your children, “What do we learn from this?” When you read the OT stories, I also suggest that you have a passage from the NT as the support for the principle or ethic which you are studying. In that way, you help teach your children that the NT and Jesus’ teachings are our authority today. The OT stories only illustrate the points made in the NT.
Help your children see that Bible reading and study are exciting! There are many, many stories in the Bible which grab our attention and challenge us in our thinking. There is nothing on TV or in the movies that is as relevant to human life and experience as the stories God recorded in the Bible.
Challenge your children to look at the “human” side of the people in the Bible. How might Paul have felt when he was beaten and left for dead because he was preaching the Bible? Questions like this help children see the reality and the relevance of the Bible’s stories. Share some of your own struggles and challenges as well; if you have trouble understanding a text, be honest.
I read that one dad created a “commentary” when he and his children read the book of Proverbs. He wrote out some titles, like “Money” and “Relationships” and as they read through the book, they wrote down appropriate verses under each heading.
Parents, never forget where you want your children to go when they die. Parent with that end in mind.
Paul Holland
