Tell All the Children by Tim Parkinson
So often, when God gives a command in His word, there are accompanying blessings promised. Do you ever wonder why this is?
I believe that our Heavenly Father is a good judge of character and it’s in the character of humanity to not obey their Father’s will (without incentive), but instead, desire their own will.
Time and again, parenting skills are taught throughout the scriptures and we would be wise to follow them. This will make our lives much simpler, by knowing, understanding and teaching these godly principles, rather than trudging through the desert of assuming we will realize and choose the best path to take because we’re good, loving parents.
Loving alone is not enough, we have take on the responsibility (throughout our children’s lives) to be parents and mentors, as representatives of our Father in heaven. Even if we feel inadequate, we can be successful in our efforts, simply by reading the Scriptures.
God instructing Joshua
The setting is the Promised Land and the time is immediately after crossing the Jordan River. The Lord is instructing the children of Israel to set up a memorial to signify what He has done for them.
God said to Joshua:
Jos 4:6 That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?
Jos 4:7 Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
Joshua said to the people:
Jos 4:21 And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?
Jos 4:22 Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.
- The necessity and responsibility for an early religious education for children is given to parents throughout the word of God. Back then, parents were blamed for the misdeeds of the children, there were no public schools.
It’s both parents responsibility to teach their children about God. Parents who neglect spending the necessary time instructing their children in righteousness will “reap the whirlwind” eventually.
God’s Reason
Jos 4:23 For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:
Jos 4:24 That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.
- Much of the confusion (brought by our adversary) comes from our questioning the word of God. We think, or are told, that we shouldn’t want our children to fear us, we want them to love us. Fear is bad, God is good, why does the Bible say is it good to fear God?
Until we dispel our confusion and find scriptural answers to things we don’t understand about God and His word, we will waver and be tossed about by the winds of other people’s doctrines.
Parent/ Child Relationship Continues
(Providing our parents have spoken to us truthfully throughout our lives)
Question to ask children and adults:
- If my parent tells me that I’m making a mistake or gives me advice, does that carry any more weight or importance than advice from friends or colleagues? Do we consider your parents opinion or do we dismiss what they say, thinking that they don’t really understand your situation?
THEY are still acting like a parent and WE are acting like children still. Our maturity is revealed in how well we listen and the good decisions that we choose to make.
Teaching young people
It would be good advice to all parents to first look to God’s word to see what to teach your children and take to heart that rewards that come by following God’s instruction.
Let’s say that you’re a new believer, what should you start telling your children about God (when you don’t know much yourself)?
Praise God, He’s already provided an instruction book for parents to teach their children, young children through young adults. It’s called the Book of Proverbs. You will enjoy the time you spend reading it to them.
- Choose a version of the Bible that someone their age can understand and read it all the way through, stopping to discuss any questions they might have.
- Ask them if what it says makes sense. Ask them their opinion. You can learn a lot by listening to them.
Training
Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
- The key word is train. Training comes from repetition. If something is done incorrectly, that is what’s learned.
chânak – khaw-nak’
A primitive root; properly to narrow (compare H2614); figuratively to initiate or discipline: – dedicate, train up.
Notice: Our command: train your children…
Our reward: when they’re old…
Here again, God shows us the parenting method that He uses. Give a command, reveal a reward.
- Someone might tell you, Command and Reward is not way to sound parenting. Obedience training is better.
- The choice is yours. Choose what some know-it-all tells you, using human logic, or see what the Bible teaches and follow that.
The Teachers Deportment
Eph 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
- Imagine the frustration of a child being told to one thing, but witnessing the parent (or other sibling) doing another. This confusion needs a conclusion. The deceiver can get a foothold, if the parent gets away not having to explain (and apologize if necessary) their actions.
- Now, consider a parent telling their child that choosing to do the right thing will please the Lord and there’s an appropriate reward. This consideration will serve the child well, as they make their own life choices. Remind them that God’s a rewarder (or punisher).
Moses Directions
In this scripture, Moses is reading the commandments (or Book of the Law) to remind Israel of God’s word before entering the Promised Land…
Deu 6:6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
Deu 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Deu 6:8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
Deu 6:9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
Deu 6:10 And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,
Deu 6:11 And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;
- Again, we see God’s commands regarding how important obeying His word is for us and it has rewards.
Getting Understanding
Young people have an innate ability to question their parents regarding things they disagree with and to ask for clarification (perhaps embarrassing the parent).
This is not a bad thing. Everyone young or old needs answers when they have questions. It helps young people to learn to ask God to help them make godly life choices.
No subject covered in God’s word should be off limits, but each needs to be discussed, when necessary, for the training of our children.
None of us learn anything by blindly “doing what we are told” without receiving some understanding, unless we trust who is doing the “telling”.
Questioning is different than rebellion. Rebellion is purposely choosing the wrong things, when they understand the parents wishes. Throughout life, parents reveal the path of wisdom by providing answers to their children’s questions.
The Teacher’s Training
If we, as parents, don’t understand the Scriptures, don’t feel intimidated, God still reveals His wisdom to us, as we humbly seek it.
It might be given through pastor, people, or in print, TV, the internet or maybe in prayer time. Along with His guidance, He gives us inner peace, strengthening us, to continue in faith.
God teaches us like a parent. He wants us to remember His word and guard it in our hearts, trusting He will prove it true. In turn, We can tell our children what God has taught us and what He’ll do for them. As they learn to trust God’s word as their Teacher, they will reap the rewards and so will we.
Bonus Scripture:
What do you think about this Scripture?
Pro 13:24 He that spareth (withholds) his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth (corrects) him betimes(early).
Since this isn’t written in present day English, a translation into old English from Hebrew, let’s spend a little time to discern it’s meaning and may God give us light.
5Ws of this scripture
1W To the parent
2W Refusing to discipline
3W Child acting wrong ( in need of correction)
4W N.I. (Not important)
5W Early (quickly) or swiftly
We can see this parent being addressed is refusing to take action addressing disobedience of children.
Instead of showing love or compassion, this action is revealing a lack of caring enough to do something.
True love gives correction quickly.
This discipline doesn’t encourage the use of a rod or striking of the child, but when necessary, it should not be neglected or put off. It is a teaching method performed in love, for the child’s learning, not for parental satisfaction or establish control.
Accompanying scriptures
Pro 23:13 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
Pro 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
- Children who are not instructed in righteousness are apt to make bad decisions.
Instruction must happen first. The question remains to the conscientious parent. Have you given prior instructions (with rewards) or used any other correction techniques (in love), before resulting to striking your child. Are you just demanding their obedience?
Remember how God instructs His children in the Bible and try to do it his way. If you don’t know what to do, pray and get godly counsel.
Parental Rewards for doing things God’s way
Pro 23:24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
Pro 23:25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
Pro 23:26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
Here’s another Scripture for those who need help while parenting. God’s answer to your situation is in His word.
Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. (Decide to take the higher way.)
Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Admit to God that He’s right, that He knows better than you)
Isa 55:10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplishthat which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
(Here’s where our desire’s and God’s must align. Our solution becomes plain to us, as we seek to understand God’s will in our situation).
Isa 55:12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. (Ah, the promised reward)
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