Christian Nurture in the Family

Deuteronomy 6:4:9, 20-25; II Timothy 3:14, 15

GOLDEN TEXT: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
—Proverbs 22:6

THE Scriptures make it plain that a part of Christian parents’ responsibility is that of letting their light shine in their own home, that their children may be reared in an atmosphere of truth and righteousness, and that they may be encouraged to give their hearts to the Lord as soon as they come to the age of understanding. It is a universally recognized fact the early training of a child exerts potent influence in after life. Catholics have claimed that if a child is trained in Catholicism in his early years he will always remain a Catholic. This same principle is set forth in our Golden Text—“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

In the New Testament portion of our lesson we are given a good example of how early religious training had worked to the advantage of Timothy. In mingling with the brethren throughout the country today we find many similar examples of how this same principle still holds true. And what a joy it is to parents when they can see their children stepping out upon the promises of God and devoting their lives to His service. If parents themselves have obtained the joy from their Christian lives which should have been their portion, they will surely delight to see their children sacrifice earthly advantages in order that they, too, may make secure the spiritual joys of the consecrated.

Parental instruction should not stop short of urging children to make a full consecration to the Lord. God’s instruction to Israel was, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.” (Deut. 6:5,6) To love the Lord with all one’s “heart,” “soul,” and “might,” means full consecration of everything to Him. It means much more than merely to have respect for the Lord, and to know something about His Word.

Then comes the further admonition: “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” (Deut. 6:7) Worldly wisdom would say that to carry out these instructions literally would make parents seem like religious cranks to their children, hence that the children might be “soured” against everything pertaining to the Bible. But this is not so if the instructions are carried out in the proper spirit.

It is important that parents themselves properly view the real advantages of a life of consecration to God. If their attitude is, that serving the Lord is a hardship, that it means the sacrifice of all joy, then of course the children will be quick to discern this viewpoint, and may resent any influences which they might think would lead them into a similar life of barrenness. But this is the wrong viewpoint. The commandments of God should not be viewed as irksome, but joyous. The 24th verse of our lesson in Deuteronomy presents the proper thought, saying, “And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.”

The underlying principles of God’s; laws never change, hence, while the Old Testament part of today’s; lesson is concerning God’s dealings with natural Israel, yet they are equally applicable to the Lord’s people in this Gospel age. It is still true that we should urge full consecration upon our children, not with the thought of depriving them of something, but because it is for their good. Full devotion to God is the only condition upon which any individual in any age may hope to receive of His favor and have life; and the greatest joy in life is the service of our Creator.

If we keep before our children the fact that the Scriptural rule of life, or way of living, is the only one that can be productive of genuine and lasting joy, and back up these instructions with an example of the joy of the Lord in our own hearts, then there will be little likelihood that they will be driven away from the Lord for fear of the exactions His service might impose upon them. True, children should be instructed in the proper attitude of reverence for God, but they should not be given the impression that wholesome laughter is a sin, or that there is no joy in His service.

Sorrow and crying are the result of sin and death. “Crying for joy” is a confusion of emotions attributable to great nervous strain; but, normally, joy is not expressed by tears. God has promised to wipe away all tears, and He will do it by removing all the causes of sorrow. The normal condition of all God’s creatures who are created in His image, is that of happiness and peace. Following in the footsteps of Jesus results in some suffering, perhaps some persecution, some misunderstanding on the part of our friends and neighbors. It means, too, that we will be actively engaged in blessing others, hence will be using time, and strength for this purpose, instead of for ourselves; but back of this, and in it all, the true Christian will have a joy unspeakable. Christian parents who are obtaining this depth of joy from their walk with God will impart this same spirit in their instructions to their children. Thus the children, barring outside influences over which the parents have no control, will be influenced to gladly follow on to know the Lord because they will have learned to think of Him as the fountain of all that’s worthwhile in this life, as well as in that which is to come.

It would seem that the best way of teaching children concerning the glorious character of our God, and the desirability of being fully devoted to Him, is giving them, as their growing minds can grasp it, a knowledge of the divine plan for human salvation. The stories of the Bible have their place in the teaching of children, but we shouldn’t hesitate to teach them the doctrines also, because it is only through these that God’s will, character and plan are the more readily understood and appreciated.

QUESTIONS:

What should be the ultimate aim in the religious instruction of children?

What viewpoint should parents seek to give their children as to why they should devote their lives fully to God?

Why is it advisable to teach the doctrines of the divine plan to children, as well as the stories of the Bible?

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