Topical Bible: Children: should be Instructed in the Ways of God

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The instruction of children in the ways of God is a foundational principle found throughout the Scriptures. This responsibility is primarily placed upon parents, but it is also a communal duty within the body of believers. The Bible emphasizes the importance of teaching children about God, His commandments, and His love from an early age, ensuring that they grow up with a strong spiritual foundation.

Biblical Mandate for Instruction

The mandate to instruct children in the ways of God is clearly articulated in the Old Testament. In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 , Moses commands the Israelites: "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 diligent nature of teaching children about God, integrating His commandments into daily life.

Proverbs 22:6 further reinforces this duty: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This proverb highlights the long-term impact of early spiritual education, suggesting that a child instructed in God's ways will retain these teachings throughout life.

Role of Parents and the Community

Parents are seen as the primary instructors of their children in spiritual matters. 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 emphasizes the role of parents, particularly fathers, in nurturing their children’s spiritual growth through loving discipline and instruction.

The community of believers also plays a significant role in the spiritual education of children. In the New Testament, Jesus Himself welcomed children and emphasized their importance in the kingdom of God. 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." This passage highlights the value Jesus placed on children and the importance of including them in the faith community.

Methods of Instruction

The Bible provides various methods for instructing children in the ways of God. Storytelling is a powerful tool, as seen in the recounting of God’s mighty acts and faithfulness throughout Scripture. Psalm 78:4 states, "We will not hide them from their children, but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might, and the wonders He has performed."

Memorization of Scripture is another method encouraged in the Bible. Psalm 119:11 says, "I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You." Teaching children to memorize and meditate on Scripture helps them internalize God’s word and apply it to their lives.

Prayer is also a vital component of spiritual instruction. Teaching children to pray fosters a personal relationship with God and encourages them to seek His guidance and wisdom. Philippians 4:6 instructs believers, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

The Goal of Instruction

The ultimate goal of instructing children in the ways of God is to lead them to a personal relationship with Him and to cultivate a life that reflects His character. 2 Timothy 3:15 speaks of the value of Scripture in this process: "From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." The instruction aims to guide children toward salvation and a life of faith and obedience to God.

In summary, the Bible places great importance on the instruction of children in the ways of God, emphasizing the roles of parents and the faith community in this vital task. Through diligent teaching, storytelling, memorization, and prayer, children can be guided to a lifelong relationship with God and a life that honors Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 31:12,13
Gather the people together, men and women, and children, and your stranger that is within your gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christ and Little Children
... midst of the emulous disciples, whom Christ instructed that the ... that its sages become
as little children, how much ... We should all be nearer to the kingdom, or ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 10 13-16 christ and little.htm

Thoughts Upon Christian Education.
... and bred up in it, were thus fully instructed in the ... your Eyes, and ye shall teach
them your Children, ch.11.18 ... Train up a child in the way he should go, and ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon christian education.htm

Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after Easter
... wise Solomon and Origen, who have marvellously instructed the holy ... Christ went away
from them, we should in reason ... Children, walk in the ways of God diligently ...
/.../xvi sermon for the fourth.htm

Thou Shalt not Take the Name of the Lord, Thy God, in Vain.
... As the First Commandment has instructed the heart ... famines, conflagrations, floods,
wayward wives, children, servants, and ... Whence else should so much misery come ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not take the.htm

The Domestic Relation.
... this child came expressing her sense of guilt, had not instructed her in the ways
of salvation? ... It was the original design of God that children should be a ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter xiii the domestic relation.htm

The Christian Training of Children.
... enabled them, to have their children instructed in all ... was already deeply involved
in un-Christian ways. ... be so kept concealed that the children should not very ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/ix the christian training of.htm

Argument. --It is this God, Therefore, that the Church Has Known ...
... people; He delivered the groaning children of Israel ... the land of promise; He instructed
the prophets ... arisen from earthly beginnings, they should naturally be ...
/.../chapter viii argument it is this.htm

Home Influence and Training in their Relation to the Keeping of ...
... But the child must be instructed. ... if we appreciated our own baptism as we should,
it would be a ... a never-failing fountain of Grace to us, and to our children. ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter vi home influence and.htm

Jacob's Sister Susannah.
... to the ministers of the place to be publicly instructed. ... this is God's will, that
I should lie upon ... little ones, where he said, 'Suffer little children to come ...
/.../stories of boys and girls who loved the saviour/jacobs sister susannah.htm

Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
... Children, I know of nothing so greatly needed as that those who are entering on
a religious life should be instructed with all care, that they may ...
/.../vii sermon for the fourth.htm