Topical Bible: Children: Taught to Walk

◄ Children: Taught to Walk ►

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In the biblical context, the imagery of teaching children to walk is rich with spiritual and moral implications. The act of guiding a child in their first steps is often paralleled with the nurturing and instruction necessary for spiritual growth and moral development. This concept is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing the responsibility of parents and the community in guiding the young in the ways of the Lord.

Biblical Imagery and Instruction

The metaphor of walking is frequently used in the Bible to describe one's conduct and way of life. In the Old Testament, the prophet Hosea captures this imagery beautifully: "It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them in My arms, but they never realized that it was I who healed them" (Hosea 11:3). Here, God is depicted as a loving parent, guiding and supporting His children, even when they are unaware of His presence and care.

Parental Responsibility

The responsibility of parents to teach their children is a recurring theme in Scripture. Proverbs 22:6 instructs, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" . This verse underscores the importance of early instruction and the lasting impact it can have on a child's life. The training involves not only teaching children to walk physically but also guiding them in their spiritual and moral journey.

Spiritual Guidance and Community Involvement

The role of the community in teaching children is also emphasized in the Bible. 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" . This passage highlights the communal aspect of instruction, where the entire community is involved in the spiritual education of its young members.

Jesus and the Children

In the New Testament, Jesus' attitude towards children further illustrates the importance of teaching and guiding them. In Mark 10:14, Jesus says, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" . Jesus' welcoming of children signifies their value in the kingdom of God and the necessity of nurturing their faith from a young age.

Discipline and Love

Discipline, when administered in love, is also a crucial aspect of teaching children to walk in the ways of the Lord. Hebrews 12:11 states, "No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it" . This verse highlights the long-term benefits of discipline, which, though challenging, is essential for developing a righteous character.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of teaching children to walk encompasses more than just physical guidance; it involves a comprehensive approach to nurturing their spiritual, moral, and emotional development. Through the combined efforts of parents, the community, and the church, children can be guided to walk in the path of righteousness, growing in their relationship with God and understanding of His ways.

Nave's Topical Index

Hosea 11:3
I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Entire Sanctification as Taught by John.
... CHAPTER IX. ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION AS TAUGHT BY JOHN. ... He declares that God's children
must not walk in darkness or sin, and that those who do so cannot ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter ix entire sanctification as.htm

Heaven's Nurse Children
... which we have in our text: "I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms,"
as they do who have to teach little children to walk, supporting their ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/heavens nurse children.htm

The Mothering Heart
... of love and tenderness that might have blessed husband and children, was not ... man
saved from great depths, whose tottering steps she taught to walk the way ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/vii the mothering heart.htm

The Cause and the Effect
... That life in God, and walk with God which is spoken of by the author of the "Imitation
of Christ," as an ... "O children, could you but ... "For he was taught the truth ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xxiv the cause and.htm

Entire Sanctification as Taught by Jesus Christ.
... ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION AS TAUGHT BY JESUS CHRIST. ... This inward purity, as distinguished
from a blameless outward walk, was by ... That ye may be the children of your ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter vi entire sanctification as.htm

Parental Duties Considered and Urged.
... Children generally follow it, where it is set before them. ... are commonly lost upon
them, if taught by parental ... wisely in a perfect way, and walk within his ...
/.../sermon xxii parental duties considered.htm

Entire Sanctification as Taught by Paul.
... and experience of holiness are so plainly taught, and so ... This, beloved, is the glorious
liberty of the children of God ... in the force of that vow, we walk all our ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter vii entire sanctification as.htm

Rules for visits, Exorcisms, and How People are to Assist the Sick ...
... are to Assist the Sick, and to Walk in All ... 409] and especially those poor persons
who have many children. ... and agreeable to you: because ye are all taught of God ...
/.../two epistles concerning virginity/chapter xii rules for visits exorcisms.htm

The Bread of God
... I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel ... I may prove them, whether they
will walk in My ... When experience had taught that, however much a man gathered ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the bread of god.htm

The Mission of Little Children
... dwell upon the precise doctrines which Christ taught in the ... I. Little children give
us a sincere and affectionate manifestation ... We walk in a mart of selfishness ...
/.../chapin/the crown of thorns/the mission of little children.htm