Topical Bible: Children Having Children

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The phenomenon of children having children, while not explicitly addressed in the Bible, can be examined through the lens of biblical principles and narratives that touch on themes of family, responsibility, and the sanctity of marriage. The Bible provides guidance on the roles and responsibilities of parents, the importance of maturity, and the value of children within the family unit.

Biblical Context and Principles

1. Marriage and Family Structure: The Bible consistently upholds marriage as the appropriate context for bearing and raising children. Genesis 2:24 states, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This foundational principle underscores the importance of a stable, committed relationship as the ideal environment for raising children.

2. Parental Responsibility: Scripture emphasizes the responsibility of parents to nurture and instruct their children. Ephesians 6:4 advises, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This verse highlights the need for maturity and wisdom in parenting, qualities that are often lacking in children who become parents themselves.

3. Youth and Maturity: The Bible acknowledges the challenges and limitations of youth. In 1 Corinthians 13:11 , Paul reflects, "When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways." This passage suggests that maturity is a process, and the responsibilities of parenthood require a level of maturity that children typically have not yet attained.

4. The Value of Children: Children are viewed as a blessing from the Lord. Psalm 127:3 declares, "Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward." This perspective affirms the inherent value of children, regardless of the circumstances of their birth, and calls for their protection and care.

Historical and Cultural Considerations

In biblical times, cultural norms and life expectancies often led to earlier marriages and childbearing than is common in many societies today. However, the expectation was that these unions would occur within the framework of marriage and community support. The Bible does not provide specific examples of children bearing children, but it does offer narratives that highlight the importance of family support and community involvement in raising children.

Moral and Ethical Implications

From a biblical perspective, the occurrence of children having children raises significant moral and ethical concerns. These include the well-being of both the young parents and their children, the ability to provide for and nurture a child, and the potential for societal and familial disruption. The Bible's emphasis on wisdom, maturity, and responsibility suggests that the ideal scenario for childbearing and rearing involves preparation, support, and a stable family environment.

Pastoral and Community Support

The church and Christian community are called to provide support and guidance to young parents, offering resources, mentorship, and spiritual counsel. Galatians 6:2 encourages believers to "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This directive underscores the role of the Christian community in supporting those facing the challenges of early parenthood.

In summary, while the Bible does not directly address the issue of children having children, its teachings on marriage, maturity, and the value of children provide a framework for understanding the complexities and responsibilities involved. The Christian community is called to uphold these principles while offering compassion and support to those in need.

Topical Bible Verses

Revelation 21:8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
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Library

St. Ambrose Meets the Objection of those who Make the Desire of ...
... Concerning Widows. Chapter XV. St. Ambrose meets the objection of those
who make the desire of having children an? St. Ambrose ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xv st ambrose meets.htm

That Christ is the Bridegroom, Having the Church as his Bride ...
... Second Book. 19. That Christ is the Bridegroom, having the Church as His
bride, from which spiritual children were to be born. In ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/19 that christ is the.htm

When God Takes Away Our Children from Us, it is a Very Affecting ...
... My Gourds wither, my Children die; but the Lord liveth, and blessed be my Rock ... be
exalted[f]. I see, in one Instance more, the sad Effects of having over-loved ...
/.../1 when god takes away.htm

Fathers and Children'
... be 'covetous, proud, without natural affection, breakers of their word, blasphemers;
having a form of ... a-days should be as much in fault as the children of whom ...
/.../kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon i fathers and children.htm

The Mission of Little Children
... to dwell upon the precise doctrines which Christ taught in the instance, but having,
as it ... In one word, I propose to speak of the mission of little children. ...
/.../chapin/the crown of thorns/the mission of little children.htm

The Faith of Little Children.
... unable to endure the agony of beholding his wife and children starving to death ... the
house of John Beebe, near a place called Evans, having traveled constantly ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/the faith of little children.htm

Book Two He Concentrates Here on his Sixteenth Year, a Year of ...
... Then they might have been tranquilized and satisfied with having children, as thy
law prescribes, O Lord"O thou who dost form the offspring of our death and ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book two he concentrates here.htm

Appendix (Referred to in Note 1)
... parents, and not that which parents should make for their children." See also ... he
who ministers not to the necessities of his aged relatives, having the means ...
/.../groves/christian devotedness/appendix referred to in note.htm

"Having Begun in the Spirit"
... God wants us as His children to arise and place our sins before Him, and to call
upon Him for mercy. Oh, are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/murray/absolute surrender/having begun in the spirit.htm

Acts of Peter and Andrew.
... How dost thou force me to abandon my wife, and my children, and my goods? Then Peter,
having turned and seen him striking Andrew, says to him: Man, stop now ...
/.../unknown/acts of peter and andrew/acts of peter and andrew.htm