In the Bible, the role of parents is of paramount importance, as they are entrusted with the responsibility of raising their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. However, Scripture also provides examples and teachings concerning parents who fail in their duties, offering cautionary tales and divine principles regarding the consequences of poor parenting.

Biblical Examples of Bad Parenting:

1. Eli the Priest: Eli, a priest of Israel, is a notable example of a parent who failed to discipline his children. His sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were corrupt and committed grievous sins, yet Eli did not restrain them. As a result, God pronounced judgment on Eli's household. 1 Samuel 3:13 states, "For I told him that I would judge his house forever for the iniquity he knew about, because his sons were bringing a curse upon themselves, and he did not restrain them."

2. King David: Although David was a man after God's own heart, his parenting was flawed, particularly in the case of his son Absalom. David's failure to address the sins within his family, including the rape of his daughter Tamar by her half-brother Amnon, led to familial strife and rebellion. 2 Samuel 13-18 details the tragic consequences of David's inaction and indulgence.

3. King Ahaz: Ahaz, king of Judah, is an example of a parent who led his children astray through idolatry. He engaged in detestable practices, including child sacrifice. 2 Kings 16:3 records, "Instead, he walked in the way of the kings of Israel and even sacrificed his son in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites."

Teachings on Parenting:

1. Discipline and Instruction: The Bible emphasizes the importance of discipline and instruction in parenting. Proverbs 22:6 advises, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Discipline is seen as an expression of love, as stated in Proverbs 13:24 , "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently."

2. Avoiding Provocation: Parents are cautioned against provoking their children to anger. Ephesians 6:4 instructs, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This teaching underscores the balance between discipline and nurturing.

3. Modeling Godliness: Parents are called to model godliness and integrity. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 commands, "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Consequences of Bad Parenting:

The Bible illustrates that bad parenting can lead to spiritual and moral decay, not only within the family but also within the broader community. The failure to instill godly values and discipline can result in generational sin and divine judgment, as seen in the examples of Eli and David. Moreover, parents who lead their children into idolatry or immorality, like Ahaz, face severe consequences both in this life and in the eyes of God.

In summary, the Bible provides both examples and teachings that highlight the critical role of parents in shaping the spiritual and moral character of their children. Parents are called to be diligent, loving, and godly in their approach, avoiding the pitfalls of neglect, indulgence, and ungodliness.Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
Topicalbible.org

Colossians 3:21
Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
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Mark 9:42
And whoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
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Ezekiel 18:20
The soul that sins, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be on him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be on him.
Topicalbible.org

Proverbs 22:15
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Topicalbible.org

Example.
... generally the case. It is not always that bad parents have bad children, but
it is exceptional when it is otherwise. Indeed, the virtues ...
/.../baring-gould/the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/lviii example.htm

Sins of Parents visited
... was everything to make them profligate, false, reckless, in a word"bad"except the ...
and how, though they have felt the punishment of their parents' sins upon ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxvi sins of parents.htm

From the Fourth to the Seventh Commandment
... their children also will grow up in wickedness: and thus we can go on for generations,
and all those sins will be traced back to the first bad parents. ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 33 from the fourth.htm

Obedience to Parents.
... An unfortunate custom, the fruit of a bad education, or of an excessive tenderness
on the part of parents, has sadly vitiated the nature and form of the ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter xix obedience to parents.htm

Will the Knowledge that Some of Our Own are Lost, Mar Our ...
... We must believe, moreover, that careless, and even bad parents, negligent teachers,
seducers of the innocent, and writers of bad books, will eventually be ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter xii will the knowledge.htm

The Call of David.
... even baptized at all. Some are born of bad parents, irreligious parents,
and have no education, or a bad one. We, on the contrary ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon iv the call of.htm

The Evolution of a Father
... Bad parents mean starved children, and starved children will be replaced in the
Struggle for Life by full-fed children, and ere a few generations parents ...
/.../the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter ix the evolution of.htm

Of the Reasons for Administering Correction to Bad and Good ...
... I. Chapter 9."Of the Reasons for Administering Correction to Bad and Good ... and the
husbands with their wives, the children with their parents, and parents ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 9 of the reasons for.htm

Fathers and Children'
... ungrateful. Of course he would tell bad parents and children to repent, just
as he came to tell all other kinds of sinners to repent. But ...
/.../kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon i fathers and children.htm

Home-Example.
... may be good or bad. Its power arises out of the home-confidence and authority. Children
possess an imitative disposition. They look up to their parents as the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter xx home-example.htm

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