Topical Bible: Parents: Their Duty to Their Children Is: To Command Them to Obey God

◄ Parents: Their Duty to Their Children Is: To Command Them to Obey God ►

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The role of parents in guiding their children is a central theme in the Bible, emphasizing the importance of instilling obedience to God from an early age. This duty is not merely a suggestion but a divine mandate that underscores the spiritual and moral development of the next generation.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible provides clear instructions regarding the responsibility of parents to command their children to obey God. 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 highlights the continuous and intentional effort required from parents to impart God's commandments to their children.

The Role of Instruction and Discipline

Proverbs 22:6 states, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This verse underscores the long-term impact of early spiritual education. Parents are called to be the primary educators in matters of faith, ensuring that their children understand and adhere to God's ways.

Furthermore, discipline is an integral part of this instruction. Proverbs 13:24 declares, "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently." This proverb suggests that loving discipline is necessary for guiding children towards obedience to God, reflecting a commitment to their spiritual well-being.

Modeling Obedience

Parents are also tasked with modeling obedience to God in their own lives. Ephesians 6:4 advises, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This verse emphasizes the importance of a nurturing environment where children can witness and learn from their parents' example of living a life in accordance with God's will.

The Promise of Blessing

The Bible assures that obedience to God's commandments brings blessings. In Exodus 20:12 , the commandment to "Honor your father and mother" is accompanied by a promise: "so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." By teaching their children to obey God, parents are not only fulfilling their duty but also paving the way for their children to receive God's blessings.

Conclusion

The duty of parents to command their children to obey God is a profound responsibility that encompasses teaching, discipline, and leading by example. Through these efforts, parents play a crucial role in shaping the spiritual foundation of their children, ensuring that they grow up with a deep-rooted understanding of and commitment to God's commandments.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 32:46
And he said to them, Set your hearts to all the words which I testify among you this day, which you shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Chronicles 28:9
And you, Solomon my son, know you the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts: if you seek him, he will be found of you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off for ever.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Home-Government.
... Often parents voluntarily relinquish their right and duty to rule their household;
and as a consequence, their children abandon the duty of obedience ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xviii home-government.htm

Whether one Ought to be Withdrawn from Entering Religion through ...
... stand in great need of their children's assistance, the ... may, in despite of the duty
they owe ... enter religion even against their parents' command, because after ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether one ought to be 2.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

Luke xi. 25
... for he says, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord ... for which children are to
discharge their earthly duties is, because that earthly duty is commanded ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/lecture xv luke xi 25.htm

The Promises of the Christian Home.
... to their children. We must not think that all pious parents are faithful
to their duty to their children. The above objection ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xxv the promises of.htm

Gracious Ability.
... sinner, than the fact that children are dependent ... proper inability in them to obey
their parents without chastisement ... of religion to do their duty without delay ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxii gracious ability.htm

Prov. 22:06 the Duties of Parents
... their minds as a high, holy, and solemn duty, and believe me ... to be the mark of
well-trained children, that they do whatsoever their parents command them. ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter xvi prov 22 6 the.htm

Obedience to Parents.
... its instincts to point out to you your duty, which to ... lead you to suspect that there
are children unnatural enough to forget and neglect their parents. ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter xix obedience to parents.htm

The Duty of the People of God to Excite Others to Seek this Rest.
... If parents are in want, children must relieve them ... Consider, it is a duty you owe
your children in ... they received the defilement and misery of their nature; and ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter ix the duty of.htm

Thoughts Upon Christian Education.
... therefore that God hath laid so strict a Command upon all Parents; to bring up their
Children in the Knowledge of himself, and of their Duty to him ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon christian education.htm