Deuteronomy 6:6-9
AIM: That Christian parents may learn to bring up their children in the fear of the Lord.
INTRODUCTION: The education of children — both the secular and the spiritual — is first and foremost the responsibility of parents. This is why as parents we have the privilege of having our children under our roofs in the first phase of their developing years. Hannah had her son Samuel with her until she weaned him at about age five. When he was later exposed to the unruly behavior of Priest Eli's sons, he could not be negatively influenced. This was because at that age, he had already been trained in the way he should go. Christian parents owe it to their children to give them similar foundation at home.
TO WHOM DO OUR CHILDREN BELONG?
The Spartans say they belong to the state. Sparta was a Greek city state like Athens. The citizens of the two cities were enlightened. Their view about children was that children first belong to the state. Their allegiance must first be to the state.
Christian parents believe the child belongs to God. In contrast to the philosophy of the Spartans, good Christian parents see children as the heritage of the Lord (Psalm 127:3). Their children must love their God with all their heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5).
B. TOTAL CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Education of children at home (Proverbs 22:6). Parents are commanded to train their children in the way they should go, so that they will remain there as they grow up. Whatever training parents give to their children is what they will grow to live by. Therefore, total education encompasses physical, spiritual, mental, social and the psychological well being of every child. Total Christian education makes a total Christian child.
Education of youth at church. Apart from the training that parents give to their young ones at home, the church too has her role to play. As a matter of importance, the church must not neglect the youths because they are the leaders of tomorrow. Give them a sense of belonging. One of the reasons why our youths are leaving the church is not unconnected with youth neglect. The budgets of many churches cater only for adult needs and interests.
Education of Adults through Sunday School and Bible Studies(Joshua 1:8).
Adults also must not be neglected in Christian education. Our Sunday School and Bible Study classes must be appealing to every adult. Materials must meet their spiritual, social and physical needs. Sunday School, teachers and Bible study leaders must be well trained and prepared in order to discharge their duty very well.
FAILURE TO GIVE TOTAL EDUCATION (Judges 2:10)
Parents busy acquiring extra material possession: Many parents have failed in their responsibilities to give total education to their children by failing to create time for the spiritual needs of their children. While parents need to work to earn a living and acquire wealth, this must not be done to the detriment of the spiritual upbringing of their children.
Time for Christian Education neglected: There is time for everything including Christian education (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Unfortunately, many parents have neglected the precious time of Christian education. This time is either being wasted or used for some other thing entirely.
Results. The results of the failure to give total Christian education include:
a. The children lack the knowledge of the wonderful things God had done. The children did not know the wonderful things God had done because they were not taught.
b. A generation died. A generation that knows God should pass their knowledge of God to their children. Otherwise, when they die, their knowledge of God dies with them.
c. The next generation did not know God (Judges 2:10-3:7). The success or failure of Christian education in the home has consequences that transverse generations. When there is a failure in this regard, the consequence is invariably tragic for the next generation.
D. CONCLUSION: The responsibility of teaching children belongs to the parents (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Parents are the first teachers of every child because they are the ones that the children first come in contact with.