Topical Bible: Children: should Obey God

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of children obeying God is deeply rooted in biblical teachings and is emphasized throughout Scripture. The Bible presents obedience to God as a fundamental aspect of a faithful life, and this principle extends to children as well.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible explicitly instructs children to obey their parents, which is seen as a direct extension of obeying God. In Ephesians 6:1, the Apostle Paul writes, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." This command is not merely a social or familial expectation but is grounded in divine order. Obedience to parents is portrayed as a reflection of obedience to God, as parents are seen as God's appointed authority in the family structure.

Old Testament Teachings

The Old Testament lays the groundwork for the importance of obedience. In Deuteronomy 6:6-7, God commands the Israelites to teach His commandments diligently to their children: "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 responsibility of parents to instill a sense of obedience to God in their children from a young age.

New Testament Reinforcement

The New Testament continues to emphasize the importance of children obeying God through their obedience to their parents. Colossians 3:20 states, "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord." This verse highlights that obedience is not just a matter of duty but is pleasing to God, aligning with His will and purpose.

Jesus and Children

Jesus Himself placed great importance on children and their relationship with God. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus says, "Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." This statement reflects the value Jesus placed on children and their potential to live in obedience to God. Jesus' welcoming of children serves as a model for how they should be nurtured in faith and obedience.

Proverbs and Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Bible, particularly the Book of Proverbs, offers practical guidance on the benefits of obedience. Proverbs 1:8-9 advises, "Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother. For they are a garland of grace on your head and a pendant around your neck." This imagery suggests that obedience brings honor and blessing, reinforcing the idea that following God's commands leads to a prosperous and righteous life.

Role of Parents and the Church

Parents and the church community play a crucial role in guiding children toward obedience to God. 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 emphasizes the long-term impact of instilling godly principles in children. The church, as a body of believers, supports this endeavor by providing teaching, fellowship, and examples of faithful living.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not provide a specific age at which children are accountable for their obedience to God, it is clear that the process of learning to obey begins early. Through the guidance of parents and the church, children are encouraged to develop a personal relationship with God, characterized by trust and obedience.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 30:2
And shall return to the LORD your God, and shall obey his voice according to all that I command you this day, you and your children, with all your heart, and with all your soul;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Let us Obey God, and not the Authors of Sedition.
... Chapter XXI."Let us obey God, and not the authors ... It is right, therefore, that we
should not leave ... Let your children be partakers of true Christian training ...
/.../the first epistle of clement to the corinthians/chapter xxi let us obey god.htm

Let us Obey God, and not the Authors of Sedition.
... Chapter XXI."Let Us Obey God, and Not the Authors ... It is right, therefore, that we
should not leave ... Let your children be partakers of true Christian training ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter xxi let us obey god.htm

Epistle x. To the Martyrs and Confessors who Sought that Peace ...
... it is more especially fitting that you should obey His precepts ... in this manner, but,
by offending God, he is ... that the peace of her children should be considered ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle x to the martyrs.htm

Whom to Obey, --Annas or Angel?
... together, and all the senate of the children of Israel ... not we straitly command you
that ye should not teach ... answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/whom to obeyannas or angel.htm

Blessing the Children
... We should teach them to bring their sins to Jesus, asking His forgiveness, and
believing that He ... As the mother teaches her children to obey her because they ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 56 blessing the children.htm

Abraham --The Father of the Faithful.
... told their children about the great flood, but nearly all forgot to tell them of
the good God who is the Father of us all, whom we should always love and obey. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter iii abrahamthe father of.htm

On Obedience to Parents
... and have you put them in practice, with regard to your own children? ... creature; and
show them it is the will of God that they should obey you in all things ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 96 on obedience to.htm

Another Foolish Erasure of Marcion's Exposed Certain Figurative ...
... The superior god, in fact, ought to have borrowed nothing from the inferior; he
was bound rather to annihilate Him. "Children should obey their parents." [6040 ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xviii another foolish erasure of.htm

Abraham's Faith was Identical with Ours; this Faith was Prefigured ...
... patriarchs, but also that the children brought forth ... the handmaids, indicating that
Christ should raise up ... and accustoming His inheritance to obey God, and to ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxi abrahams faith was identical.htm

A Sermon Made by M. Hugh Latimer, at the Time of the Insurrection ...
... estate, one to another; how they should obey their rulers; how wives should behave
themselves towards their husbands; children towards their ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/a sermon made by m.htm