Diligence: Instructing Children
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Diligence in instructing children is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing the importance of teaching and guiding the younger generation in the ways of the Lord. This concept is rooted in the belief that children are a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3) and that parents and guardians have a divine responsibility to nurture their spiritual and moral development.

Biblical Mandate for Instruction

The Bible explicitly commands parents to diligently teach their children the statutes and commandments of God. In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 , it is written: "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 underscores the continuous and intentional nature of instruction, integrating it into daily life and routines.

The Role of Parents and Guardians

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." This verse highlights the long-term impact of early instruction and the role of parents as primary educators in faith and character. The diligent teaching of children is seen as a proactive measure to instill values and principles that will guide them throughout their lives.

Teaching by Example

In addition to verbal instruction, the Bible emphasizes the importance of leading by example. In 1 Timothy 4:12 , Paul advises Timothy, "Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity." While this instruction is directed at a young leader, it reflects the broader principle that children learn not only through words but also through the observed behavior of their elders.

Discipline and Correction

Diligence in instruction also involves discipline and correction, as seen in Proverbs 13:24 : "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently." This verse suggests that loving discipline is an integral part of instruction, aimed at guiding children towards righteousness and away from folly.

The Role of the Community

While parents hold primary responsibility, the broader faith community also plays a role in instructing children. In Ephesians 6:4 , Paul writes, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This instruction implies a supportive community environment where children are nurtured in their faith journey.

The Promise of Wisdom

The diligent instruction of children is associated with the promise of wisdom and understanding. Proverbs 4:1-2 states, "Listen, my sons, to the instruction of a father; pay attention and gain understanding. For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive." The pursuit of wisdom is portrayed as a valuable endeavor, with instruction serving as the foundation for a life of discernment and godliness.

In summary, the Bible presents diligence in instructing children as a vital responsibility, encompassing teaching, example-setting, discipline, and community involvement. This comprehensive approach aims to equip children with the knowledge and values necessary to live faithfully and righteously.
Nave's Topical Index
Deuteronomy 6:7
And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 11:19
And you shall teach them your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
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Library

Dedication
... We, his nine orphan children, the three youngest of whom ... afford abundant testimony
to the fidelity and diligence of our father in instructing and adorning ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/dedication.htm

Furnished Completely unto Every Good Work
... God's workers are to give diligence to present themselves ... work of reproving and
correcting and instructing in his ... He not much more give His children the grace ...
/.../murray/working for god/xx furnished completely unto every.htm

The Fourth Continental Journey.
... with just principles, she said, "I am desirous of instructing the children in the ...
do a little good, which we should miss in travelling by Diligence or extra ...
/.../chapter xv the fourth continental.htm

Matt. xiv. 13
... yet nevertheless His doings exceeded what any diligence could earn ... five thousand
men, beside women and children." [1931 ... I have spoken of, and instructing us not ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xlix matt xiv 13.htm

The Life of Isaac Watts, DD
... reader of his works can doubt his fidelity or diligence. ... at another making a catechism
for children in their ... Whoever has the care of instructing others, may be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/the life of isaac watts.htm

Thoughts Upon Christian Education.
... as to use the utmost of their Care and Diligence, that their ... see how Parents can
bring up their Children in the ... of the Lord, better than by instructing them in ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon christian education.htm

General Conference of 1824
... pastoral duties, in promoting family religion and instructing the children.2. That ...
imitating the illustrious example of enterprise and diligence which so ...
/.../chapter 7 general conference of.htm

The General Conference of 1832
... bosom of his family as an instructing prophet, an ... importance, are we willing that
our children should receive a ... to excite each other to activity and diligence. ...
/.../chapter 11 the general conference.htm

Application of these Motives
... and masters to teach their children and servants ... awaken ministers to self-denial
and diligence, methinks we ... the pains of catechizing and instructing our people ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/article 4.htm

The Testament of Levi Concerning the Priesthood and Arrogance.
... And each day he was instructing me, and was busied ... Work righteousness, my children,
upon the earth, that ye may ... in the fear of God with diligence; for though ...
/.../iii the testament of levi concerning.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about education? | GotQuestions.org

I am a Jehovah's Witness. Why should I consider becoming a Christian? | GotQuestions.org

What does Peter mean when he tells us to make our calling and election sure in 2 Peter 1:10? | GotQuestions.org

Diligence: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Diligence

Diligence in Temporal Matters Leads to Favor

Diligence in Temporal Matters, Leads to Favour

Diligence in Temporal Matters, Leads to Honor

Diligence in Temporal Matters, Leads to Prosperity

Diligence in the Service of God is not in Vain

Diligence in the Service of God: Leads to Assured Hope

Diligence in the Service of God: Preserves from Evil

Diligence in the Service of God: should be Preserved In

Diligence is not in Vain

Diligence: Apollos

Diligence: Apostles

Diligence: Christ, an Example

Diligence: Cultivating Proper Behaviors of a True Christian

Diligence: Discharging official Duties

Diligence: Figurative

Diligence: Following Every Good Work

Diligence: God Rewards

Diligence: Guarding Against Defilement

Diligence: Hezekiah

Diligence: Honor

Diligence: Illustrated

Diligence: Instructing Children

Diligence: Jacob

Diligence: Jesus an Example of

Diligence: Keeping the Heart

Diligence: Keeping the Soul

Diligence: Labors of Love

Diligence: Lawful Business

Diligence: Leads to Assured Hope

Diligence: Listening to Him

Diligence: Making Our Calling Sure

Diligence: Nehemiah

Diligence: Nehemiah and his Helpers

Diligence: Obeying Him

Diligence: Onesiphorus

Diligence: Paul

Diligence: Preserves from Evil

Diligence: Preserving "The Faith" Through Teaching

Diligence: Prosperity

Diligence: Psalmist

Diligence: Required by God in Cultivating Christian Graces

Diligence: Required by God in Discharging official Duties

Diligence: Required by God in Following Every Good Work

Diligence: Required by God in Guarding Against Defilement

Diligence: Required by God in Hearkening to Him

Diligence: Required by God in Instructing Children

Diligence: Required by God in Keeping the Heart

Diligence: Required by God in Keeping the Souls

Diligence: Required by God in Labours of Love

Diligence: Required by God in Lawful Business

Diligence: Required by God in Making Our Call, Sure

Diligence: Required by God in Obeying Him

Diligence: Required by God in Seeking Him

Diligence: Required by God in Seeking to be Found Spotless

Diligence: Required by God in Self-Examination

Diligence: Required by God in Striving After Perfection

Diligence: Required by God in Teaching Religion

Diligence: Required in the Service of God

Diligence: Ruth

Diligence: Saints should Abound In

Diligence: Seeking to be Found Spotless

Diligence: Self-Examination

Diligence: Striving After Perfection

Diligence: Titus

Related Terms

Diligent (33 Occurrences)

Diligently (85 Occurrences)

Decree (82 Occurrences)

Using (88 Occurrences)

Negligence (2 Occurrences)

Trans-euphrates (12 Occurrences)

Endeavor (3 Occurrences)

Business (147 Occurrences)

Province (66 Occurrences)

Darius (26 Occurrences)

Yea (867 Occurrences)

Timothy (28 Occurrences)

Quit (12 Occurrences)

Zeal (45 Occurrences)

Needful (17 Occurrences)

Use (620 Occurrences)

Obliged (4 Occurrences)

Levitical (19 Occurrences)

Leadership (4 Occurrences)

Leads (64 Occurrences)

Lagging (2 Occurrences)

Little (2458 Occurrences)

Liberality (7 Occurrences)

Lifts (26 Occurrences)

Liberal (11 Occurrences)

Govern (21 Occurrences)

Generously (12 Occurrences)

Gracious (106 Occurrences)

Goest (79 Occurrences)

Giveth (378 Occurrences)

Guardest (1 Occurrence)

Greeteth (1 Occurrence)

Workman (22 Occurrences)

Wellspring (3 Occurrences)

Worthiness (3 Occurrences)

Imprisonment (15 Occurrences)

Industry (5 Occurrences)

Issues (8 Occurrences)

Industrious (2 Occurrences)

Imperial (14 Occurrences)

Fervent (10 Occurrences)

Fervor (2 Occurrences)

Flag (30 Occurrences)

Tattenai (4 Occurrences)

Trans (4 Occurrences)

Therewith (53 Occurrences)

Tat'tenai (4 Occurrences)

Treasurers (5 Occurrences)

Timbers (8 Occurrences)

Ruleth (21 Occurrences)

Revenues (7 Occurrences)

Rules (160 Occurrences)

Requires (21 Occurrences)

Realizing (7 Occurrences)

Realize (29 Occurrences)

Executed (39 Occurrences)

Exhorting (13 Occurrences)

Effort (16 Occurrences)

Exhorts (1 Occurrence)

Exhorteth (1 Occurrence)

Earnestness (14 Occurrences)

Expenses (4 Occurrences)

Eunuch (20 Occurrences)

Encourage (34 Occurrences)

Excusing (4 Occurrences)

Exhortation (16 Occurrences)

Excellence (31 Occurrences)

Encouraging (12 Occurrences)

Ethiopian (11 Occurrences)

Defence (48 Occurrences)

Dispatch (5 Occurrences)

Disobedience (49 Occurrences)

Decreed (33 Occurrences)

Dilemma (1 Occurrence)

Displeasure (12 Occurrences)

Meal-offerings (9 Occurrences)

Moral (5 Occurrences)

Prospers (10 Occurrences)

Properly (11 Occurrences)

Diligence: Illustrated
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