Children in our world today are subjected to many teachings and instructions, for better or for worse. Without guidance and instructions, they can be led astray and deceived by the world. Because of this, it is particularly important that we teach the children in our lives the truth from God’s word so that they will not be deceived by the things in this world that are vying for their attention and affection. It is our responsibility to raise them to know Christ and the things of His kingdom.
Paul calls fathers to commit to bringing their children up with teaching from God that points them to Him and His kingdom in Ephesians 4. When instructing about raising children, Paul writes, "Bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord" (verse 4). Although this is a command given to fathers, it is a command that all of us who have children in our lives can follow, too. You see, we have a responsibility to point the children in our lives straight to God. We are to teach them about His love, His goodness, how we are to live, what sin is and why it breaks God's heart, how Jesus came to rescue the world from sin and death, and so much more.
My friends, we must be diligent when it comes to teaching the children in our lives about God and the Bible. We are responsible for teaching them the truth and pointing them to Christ. We must be purposeful and deliberate when it comes to raising our children to be people who know, love, and follow Christ. As John writes in 1 John 4, there is “no greater joy than to hear that [our] children are following the truth” (verse 1).
Take some time today to have a conversation with the kids God has placed in your life. Tell them about what you learned in your Bible reading today. Explain that you want to help them know God and His Word, which is truth. Then, pray with them. Pray that God would raise them to be men and women after His own heart.
4Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord; for this is the right thing to do. 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. 6 Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. 7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 8 Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.
9 Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.
