GOD’S BEST TEACHERS: PARENTS
2 Timothy 1:3-5; Ephesians 6:4
By Dr. Glenn A. Jent, Pastor
INTRODUCTION
Paul wrote two letters to a young preacher named Timothy. In the second letter, he commented about Timothy’s faith having been passed down from one generation to another to him. First, there was Grandmother Lois, then Mother Eunice, and then Young Timothy. Please understand that the Christian faith is NOT automatically passed on from one generation to the next. It requires great care on the part of God’s Best Teachers: Parents. Let us examine some Bible passages that instruct parents as to how to teach their children.
I. GOD’S COMMISSIONING OF PARENTS AS HIS TEACHERS FOR THEIR CHILDREN (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
1. “Impress them [God’s commandments] on your children.”
(1) Talk about them at home and on the road (anywhere).
(2) Talk about them when you lie down and get up (anytime).
2. “Tie them . . . on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.”
(1) Instruct children to use their hands to do God’s work.
(2) Instruct children to think about and meditate upon God’s Word.
3. “Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
(1) Remind them to obey God’s Word when they are at home—whether inside or outside the house.
(2) Remind them to obey God’s Word when they leave their home and go into the world.
Parents who teach their children to remember and obey God’s Word are fulfilling their commissioning to be God’s Best Teachers for their children. Also, their children will truly be blessed by the knowledge of God and His Word.
II. GOD’S WARNING TO PARENTS AS THEY NURTURE THEIR CHILDREN (Ephesians 6:4)
1. “Fathers, do not exasperate your children.”
(1) Stern, unreasonable words frustrate children in their efforts to obey their parents and God’s Word.
(2) Frustrated children may give up trying to please their parents—and God.
2. “Bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
(1) Use loving care as the Lord did in His training and instruction.
(2) Use loving guidance as the Lord did in His training and instruction.
Parents—especially fathers—must be reasonable and loving in their dealings with their children, even as Jesus demonstrated in His actions. Children will be blessed when God’s Best Teachers instruct and train in the same attitude and spirit as God’s Best Example—Jesus Christ.
CONCLUSION
When parents give the proper training and demonstrate the proper attitude toward their children, the children will be attracted to the God of their fathers and mothers. They will come to love Jesus Christ and see Him as the only way to the Heavenly Father. They will love Him because they have seen their parents’ love for Him. They will give their lives to Him because their parents have given their lives to Him. That is why Timothy became a believer—not because his mother and grandmother were believers. They walked the walk and talked the talk, and Timothy was attracted to the One who made their lives special.
But I also must give a warning to parents and children today. In our modern, technological world, there are many temptations and many voices that call for our attention. Even with the best instruction and the best loving care, children may choose the way of the world. In such circumstances, all we can do is continue to love them, to care for them, to pray for them, and to expect God to do what only He can do. Never give up hope! Even the Prodigal Son returned home after years of foolish living! There is hope as long as there is life.
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