Wisdom for Family Living

MEMORY VERSE: “You fathers, again, must not goad your children to resentment, but give them the instruction, and the correction, which belong to a Christian upbringing.” —Ephesians 6:4, New English Bible

PROVERBS 4:1-5a; 20-27; 6:20-23

SOLOMON wrote, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Prov. 22:6) Generally speaking, this is true. The Catholic Church recognizes this, and makes every effort possible, through parochial schools and home training, to make sure that Catholic children are fully instructed in Catholic doctrines and traditions. However, there are times when children do, as they mature, depart from their childhood training.

However, it is important that truth-enlightened Christians give their children proper instruction in the teachings of the Bible, and to keep before them the high standards of righteousness which it sets forth. But there are right and wrong ways of doing this. In the New English Bible, our memory verse tells us that we must not goad our children into resentment. This could easily happen, for usually the Lord’s people are so desirous that their children learn to reverence and serve the Lord that they might, without realizing it, bring too much pressure to bear on them.

This might well goad children into resentment, with the result that they will give only outward obedience; and later, as they grow older, they may break away from parental instruction in the exercise of what they suppose to be their liberty. It seems to us that a godly example on the part of parents, rather than too much goading, would be the better way to influence children toward truth and righteousness.

Our lesson speaks of “good doctrine” (Prov. 4:2) Doctrine simply means teaching, and parents in their efforts to instruct their children would do well to emphasize that the teachings of the Bible with respect to God’s plan, and the divine standards of righteousness are truly “good” These “good” doctrines reveal that God is love; that he does not propose to torment nine-tenths of the human race in a hell of fire and brimstone, but instead sent his Son to die for the world in order that in his due time, and in keeping with his promises, he may extend blessings of health and life to all the families of the earth.*

*NOTE—We recommend the book, “God’s Promises Come True,” as an aid in teaching children.

Our observation is that while many children of truth-enlightened parents do not make the truth of the divine plan the principal thing in their life when they come of age—although many do—they none-the-less remember what they were taught, and it has a profound influence throughout their adult lives.

One of the classical scriptural examples of proper childhood instruction and training is Timothy, the beloved spiritual son of the Apostle Paul. Timothy’s father is not mentioned, but his grandmother Lois is, and also his mother, Eunice. Evidently these communicated to Timothy the teachings of the Law and Prophets, so that their faith in these and in the God of Abraham was engendered in Timothy. And how rich was the fruitage of these instructions in later years!—II Tim. 1:5

Paul speaks of the fact that from a child Timothy had known the Holy Scriptures. And thus it is true today, as it was in Timothy’s day, that faith in the Scriptures, and loyalty to them, makes wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.—II Tim. 3:15

Speaking of the special Gospel call of the present age, Peter said, “The promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:39) This reminds us that the heavenly promises of the present age belong only to those whom the Lord calls. (Heb. 3:1) This text indicates that the children of those who are dedicated to the Lord are kept in mind by the Lord in this connection; but being the child of consecrated parents does not in itself constitute God’s call,

It is our responsibility to teach our children in the ways of the Lord; and then we have to leave them in the Lord’s care, knowing that he is too wise to err, and too loving to be unkind.

QUESTIONS

Do children, in coming of age, usually follow the instructions of their parents?

How can we unwisely “goad” children?

How does God’s calling enter into the experiences of maturing children?

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