Isn’t It The Churches Job To Teach Our Children about God and the Bible?

Simply put, NO. There is nowhere in the Bible that says that it is the churches responsibility to disciple our children.

The Bible, starting with what God spoke to Abraham (Genesis 18:19) carrying on through God’s instructions to the Israelites (Deut. 6) and moving right up to Paul’s directions to Christian parents (Eph. 6:4), unwaveringly gives the task of raising godly children to parents.

If you think about it logically, parents are the ONLY ones positioned to do the job successfully. There are three legs on the stool we call discipleship. Every Christian, in order to grow in their salvation, must grow in three areas. They must grow in their personal relationship with God (daily pray and reliance on God). They need to grow in their knowledge of God (instruction in God’s word) and they need to grow in living it out.

The spiritual growth program for children is no different; they must be growing in all three of these areas daily. (“Bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Eph. 6:4)

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What is Christian Parenting? (Part 2)

Here is where we begin to deal with what I call ‘side of fries’ Christian Parenting.

In the opening comment of part one of this blog I talked about what most parents believe Christian Parenting to be. I sum that up as believing that we are to raise our children like everyone else aiming at them one day being healthy, well adjusted successful adults but with a side of Christianity. Bible stories, Sunday School, bedtime prayers etc. need to be added, so that hopefully, they will know Jesus, attend church and even read their Bible when they grow up.

Let’s examine what Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to see if the ‘do you want fries with that?’ idea holds up.

Ephesians 6: 4 “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (NIV)

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What is Christian Parenting? (Part 1)

How would you answer this question? If you’re like I was, and probably most Christian parents, you would answer this question by saying, “It’s taking them to church, praying with them, getting them to read their Bible and hopefully seeing them give their hearts to Jesus; stuff like that.”

Let’s look at how God’s Word defines Christian parenting by examining Paul’s main comment on the topic.

Ephesians 6: 4 “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (NIV)

According to this section of scripture Christian parenting involves at least two main elements; the way we parent and also the purpose and content of our parenting.

The first element is straightforward and outlined in the first line of this verse; I like how the Message paraphrases it, “Fathers, don’t exasperate your children by coming down hard on them.” An essential part of Christian parenting is that we are to act in a Christ like way in front of our children and especially towards our children.

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Table of Contents

THE FOUNDATIONS OF CHRISTIAN PARENTING – TABLE OF CONTENTS

The information contained in this website is set on the foundation of what the Bible teaches about both what Christian Parenting is and how God wants to be involved in it.

This category covers exactly that and is really a must read if you truly want to parent God’s way and get the most from the information and resources on this site. It’s also a very encouraging read for any parent who wants to see God at work in their home.

We encourage you to read it through even if you do so a little at a time.

1. What is Christian Parenting? (Part 1)

2. What is Christian Parenting? (Part 2)

3. Isn’t it the churches job to teach our children about God and the Bible?

4. How can I disciple my children when my own faith is a little shaky and when I don’t know enough about the Faith to disciple anyone?

       I. Growing Together

      II. The Third Parent

     III. God At Work In Us

     IV. God At Work In Our Kids

5. What can I do when I’m struggling to believe that God is really working in me, in my family and in my home?

6. How do I get started parenting God’s way?

(RICK OSBORNE / Christian Author, Speaker & Dad – your source for Christian Parenting advice)

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