Topical Bible: Parents: Their Duty to Their Children Is: To Bring Them to Christ

◄ Parents: Their Duty to Their Children Is: To Bring Them to Christ ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The role of parents in the spiritual upbringing of their children is a profound responsibility emphasized throughout Scripture. From a biblical perspective, one of the paramount duties of parents is to guide their children towards a relationship with Jesus Christ. This duty is rooted in the understanding that spiritual nurture is as essential as physical and emotional care.

Biblical Mandate

The Bible provides clear instructions for parents regarding the spiritual education of their children. In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 , it is written: "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 importance of integrating God's commandments into daily life and conversation, ensuring that children grow up with a constant awareness of God's presence and teachings.

Teaching and Discipleship

Proverbs 22:6 advises, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This verse highlights the long-term impact of early spiritual training. Parents are called to be the primary disciplers of their children, instilling in them a love for God and His Word. This involves not only teaching biblical principles but also modeling a Christ-centered life.

Bringing Children to Jesus

The New Testament provides a poignant example of the importance of bringing children to Christ. In Mark 10:13-16 , we read: "People were bringing their children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'" Jesus' response underscores the value He places on children and the necessity of their inclusion in the spiritual community.

Role of Instruction and Correction

Ephesians 6:4 instructs, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This verse emphasizes the balance between discipline and nurturing instruction. Parents are encouraged to correct their children in a manner that reflects God's love and righteousness, guiding them towards a life that honors Him.

Prayer and Intercession

Parents are also called to be intercessors for their children, lifting them up in prayer and seeking God's guidance in their upbringing. James 5:16 reminds believers of the power of prayer: "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail." Through prayer, parents can seek divine wisdom and protection for their children, entrusting them to God's care.

Conclusion

The duty of parents to bring their children to Christ is a sacred trust that requires intentionality, prayer, and reliance on God's Word. By fulfilling this responsibility, parents not only obey God's commands but also lay a spiritual foundation that can lead their children to eternal life in Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 19:13,14
Then were there brought to him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Great Duty of Family Religion
... us in holy writ, than this duty of catechizing ... words diligently unto thy children."
And parents are commanded ... New Testament, to "bring up their children in the ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the great duty of family.htm

On Obedience to Parents
... Either she is ignorant of her own or her child's duty, or she has not ... I am pained
continually at seeing religious parents suffer their children to run ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 96 on obedience to.htm

Thoughts Upon Christian Education.
... themselves, this is as great and necessary a Duty as any ... For God himself by his Apostle,
expresly commands all Parents to bring up their Children in the ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon christian education.htm

The Duty of the People of God to Excite Others to Seek this Rest.
... with this earnest request to all Christian parents that read ... not be charged before
God as murderers of their souls, nor ... know it to be so great a duty, you are ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter ix the duty of.htm

Sponsorship
... is trying to make look so ugly, is duty to a ... It is God's will that these children
should be confirmed ... hearts of your godchildren, and of their parents also; and ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon v sponsorship.htm

The Relation of Home to the Church.
... relations of home involve the duty of parents to train up their children for efficient ...
so its moral and religious relations involve the duty of education ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter iv the relation of.htm

Home as a Stewardship.
... soul for heaven is both the duty and the ... contract their whole existence, and all
their capacities, desires ... We would direct the attention of such parents to our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter vi home as a.htm

Duty and Superstition
... its own sake, and therefore to feel it his Duty. ... I say that we cannot watch our children
without seeing ... them generally, more than in us their parents, a Spirit ...
/.../kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon vii duty and superstition.htm

A God in Pain
... diseased people, they were born in sin: either they or their parents had sinned. ...
own will and pleasure for the sake of doing their duty in their calling, as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxxv a god in.htm

Christian Baptism.
... its inherent worth, not because of a duty and privilege ... Why do many parents have
their children baptized ... Because they wish to express their vows of dedication in ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xi christian baptism.htm