Topical Bible: The Scriptures: should be Taught to Children

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The importance of teaching the Scriptures to children is a theme deeply rooted in the Bible, emphasizing the role of parents and the faith community in nurturing the spiritual development of the young. The Bible provides numerous directives and examples that underscore the necessity of imparting biblical knowledge and values to children from an early age.

Biblical Mandate

The mandate to teach children the Scriptures is clearly articulated in the Old Testament. 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 continuous and intentional nature of teaching God's commandments, integrating them into daily life and routines.

Similarly, Psalm 78:4-7 emphasizes the responsibility to pass on the knowledge of God's works and commandments: "We will not hide them from their children, but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might, and the wonders He has performed. He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, so that the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, to arise and tell their own children, that they should put their confidence in God, not forgetting His works, but keeping His commandments."

Role of Parents and Community

The Scriptures place a significant responsibility on parents to be the primary educators of their children in matters of faith. 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 proverb underscores the long-term impact of early spiritual education, suggesting that a foundation built on biblical principles will guide children throughout their lives.

The New Testament also reflects this principle. In Ephesians 6:4 , Paul instructs, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This verse highlights the balance of nurturing and instructing children in a manner that reflects the teachings of Christ.

Examples from Scripture

The Bible provides examples of individuals who were taught the Scriptures from a young age and whose lives were profoundly shaped by this early instruction. Timothy, a close companion of the Apostle Paul, is one such example. In 2 Timothy 3:14-15 , Paul writes, "But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you learned them. From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." Timothy's knowledge of the Scriptures from childhood is attributed to the faithful teaching of his mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5).

Spiritual and Moral Development

Teaching the Scriptures to children is not merely an academic exercise but is intended to foster spiritual and moral development. The Bible is seen as a source of wisdom, guidance, and moral instruction. Psalm 119:105 declares, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path," illustrating the guiding role of Scripture in navigating life's challenges.

Moreover, the teachings of Jesus emphasize the value of childlike faith and the importance of welcoming children into the faith community. In Matthew 19:14 , Jesus says, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." This statement affirms the significance of children in the kingdom of God and the necessity of nurturing their spiritual growth.

In summary, the Bible consistently advocates for the teaching of Scriptures to children, highlighting the role of parents and the faith community in this vital task. Through diligent instruction and example, children are equipped with the knowledge and values necessary to grow in their faith and live according to God's will.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 6:7
And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 11:19
And you shall teach them your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Timothy 3:15
And that from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

As a Child
... The Lord had directed that even from babyhood the children should be taught of His ...
Song and prayer and lessons from the Scriptures were to be adapted to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 7 as a child.htm

The Netherlands and Scandinavia.
... It was ordered by the Diet that throughout the kingdom, ministers should explain
the Scriptures, and that the children in the schools should be taught to read ...
/.../13 the netherlands and scandinavia.htm

The Netherlands and Scandinavia
... It was ordered by the Diet that throughout the kingdom, ministers should explain
the Scriptures and that the children in the schools should be taught to read ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 13 the netherlands and.htm

Two Famous Versions of the Scriptures
... as you know, this old Greek tongue is taught in many of ... near when the Son of God
Himself should come to ... world by Him might be saved"the Scriptures, which had ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter vii two famous versions.htm

Home-Education.
... and will be of no avail without the latter, which are found in the scriptures and
church. ... The fear and love of God should be the first lesson taught. ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xvi home-education.htm

Entire Sanctification as Taught by John.
... ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION AS TAUGHT BY JOHN ... only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in Him should not perish ... appeal to the Jews to search the Scriptures and the ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter ix entire sanctification as.htm

The Upbringing of Jewish Children
... to the best criticism, Proverbs 30:1 should be thus ... king of Massa, with which his
mother taught him." If ... a child thou hast know the Holy Scriptures" (2 Timothy ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 7 the upbringing of.htm

The Ten Commandments of God.
... THE PRAYER, OR "OUR FATHER," WHICH CHRIST TAUGHT. ... and until they repeat them, they
should be given ... everything that we have in the Scriptures is comprehended in ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/the ten commandments of god.htm

Of the Scriptures
... the certainty and assurance of it, the Scriptures testify of ... the doctrine of the
prophets who taught the Jewish ... head" into which all the members should grow up ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture v of the scriptures.htm

How the Valentinians Pervert the Scriptures to Support their Own ...
... the prophets announced, nor the Lord taught, nor the ... they attempt to accommodate
out of the Scriptures to their ... place, waited for Him till He should come again ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter viii how the valentinians pervert.htm