Topical Bible: Parents: Their Duty to Their Children Is: To Rule Them

◄ Parents: Their Duty to Their Children Is: To Rule Them ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the duty of parents to rule their children is a significant aspect of family life, emphasizing the importance of guidance, discipline, and instruction. The Scriptures provide a framework for understanding this responsibility, highlighting the role of parents as leaders and caretakers in the spiritual and moral development of their children.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible underscores the authority of parents over their children, establishing a structure where parents are entrusted with the responsibility to lead and guide. In Ephesians 6:1-4 , the Apostle Paul instructs, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' (which is the first commandment with a promise), 'so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.' Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This passage highlights the dual responsibility of children to obey and honor their parents, and of parents to nurture their children in a godly manner.

Discipline and Instruction

The duty to rule involves both discipline and instruction. 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 emphasizes the proactive role of parents in shaping the character and future of their children through consistent teaching and example. Discipline is further addressed in Proverbs 13:24 : "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently." Here, discipline is portrayed as an expression of love, essential for the child's growth and understanding of right and wrong.

Authority and Love

The authority of parents is not to be exercised harshly or without compassion. Colossians 3:21 warns, "Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged." This instruction calls for a balance between authority and empathy, ensuring that parental rule fosters a nurturing environment where children feel valued and supported.

Role Modeling

Parents are also called to be role models, exemplifying the values and behaviors they wish to instill in their children. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 states, "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 importance of integrating faith and values into daily life, demonstrating to children how to live according to God's commandments.

Conclusion

The biblical mandate for parents to rule their children encompasses a comprehensive approach to parenting that includes authority, discipline, instruction, and love. By fulfilling this duty, parents play a crucial role in guiding their children towards a life of faithfulness and integrity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Timothy 3:4,12
One that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

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

Parental Duty.
... If your child does not show you due respect and obedience, there is a cause for
it, and it is your duty to find ... Confidence of children in their parents is a ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter xxvi parental duty.htm

Home-Example.
... If such, then, are its influence and necessity, we can easily infer the
duty of parents to show their children a Christian example. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter xx home-example.htm

The Children's Patrimony.
... of our faithfulness to the duty of Christian ... in almost every instance in which parents
have transcended ... of competence, and thus raised their children above the ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xxiv the childrens patrimony.htm

Home-Government.
... Often parents voluntarily relinquish their right and duty ... consequence, their children
abandon the duty of obedience ... They violate their laws with impunity, until ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xviii home-government.htm

Special Conference in virginia.
... not able to do their mission-duty, partly because ... understand it from their dictionaries."
"If parents were really ... men for the general welfare of their country. ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/special conference in virginia.htm

Home as a Stewardship.
... But the greatest trust committed to parents is, the souls of their children; and
hence their most responsible duty, as the stewards of God, is to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter vi home as a.htm

Family Habits.
... no law, which is governed by no sense of duty, and which ... strength of that family;
we can tell whether the parents are faithful to their mission, and ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xvii family habits.htm

From the Fourth to the Seventh Commandment
... know better than you the things that concern their duty. ... for the children, especially
of such parents, to waste ... who they are or what their condition, never ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 33 from the fourth.htm

The Relation of Home to the Church.
... a transient and visionary sense of duty; adversity may ... Parents should teach and rule
and appropriate the means ... They should take their household, with them to ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter iv the relation of.htm