One of the themes throughout the Bible is the command to train your children. It is often given as a general command, or one directed at both parents. It is also specifically given to fathers to train their children in the instruction of the Lord (Eph 6:4). It also tells older women to train younger women (Titus 2:3-4).
Deuteronomy 6:1-9, 1 These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you. 4 Hear, O
Deuteronomy 6 gives us a foundational command to teach God’s commands to your children. The chapter starts with the context, nearly repeating the 5th commandment to give the purpose. The purpose is to ensure that your family, across multiple generations may fear the Lord…and that you may enjoy long life. It compels you to impress them on your children and to do it with such intensity that it is built into everything that you do. Proverbs 22:6 sums it up simply, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
Ephesians 6:1-4, “1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2"Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." 4Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
Ephesians and other New Testament passages repeat this. We see this directly in Ephesians 6. Children honor and obey your father and mother. It goes on to say “Fathers…bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Two verses earlier it makes the distinction between father and mother showing that this verse is specific to fathers.
The responsibility to train children in God’s word belongs primarily to the fathers.
As I shared this with a friend, he commented that he believes that it doesn’t necessarily mean that the father must do it. It just means that the father must make sure it happens.
I disagree with this assessment for a couple reasons. First, and foremost, the scriptures do not teach this. Scripture does not say “make sure your children understand these commands”, it says “impress them on your children”.
1 Timothy 2:11-15 reinforces this view as it explains proper, orderly worship, saying, “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man;” This does not indicate inferiority; but it does imply proper responsibility and authority. This picture also illustrates the relationship of husband and wife parallel with the relationship of Christ to his church from Ephesians 5.
Second, this thought process demonstrates a prevalent view in our culture to “farm out” our responsibilities to others. We pass off our responsibility to others and are not engaged in what we should be. We pass our responsibility to raise our children to the day care. We pass our responsibility to teach our children to Sunday School, Youth Group, and the public schools.
As a father, lead your family in the Word. Lead daily family worship, include reading of God’s Word, singing, and prayer. Intentionally train your family in Bible and doctrine. Read the Bible, (not just a devotional) understand it and teach what it means. I am not a fan of devotionals or life application Bibles. You should teach God’s Word, wrestle with it yourself.
There is no better way to pass on our faith from generation to generation than to follow God’s plan of passing it on through His Word from father to son.
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