Teach Them To Your Children

that offering our children the knowledge of the world, however, is to offer them the knowledge of God. In every Christian home, parents need to make spiritual training a prioirity in the raising of their children. Are you aware that there is a segment of the Churches of Christ who refuse to have Bible classes or Sunday School in their churches? Do you know why? They believe very strongly that it is the responsibility of the home, not the church, to provide the spiritual training of the children, and that the church should not usurp that responsibility. Agree or disagree, the fact is that God has placed the responsibility of spiritual training on the parents.
There are two truths that ought to be obvious, and are almost indisputable. The first is the importance of parental involvement.
Where parents are involved with the education of their children, children usually excel. A child who is a good reader was usually read to in his mother’s or father’s arms. A child who is excited about learning usually has parents who are excited about learning. Parental involvment makes a critical difference. And Dad, you can be that critical difference in the lives of your children. February 27, 1995 issue of U. S. News & World Report concluded that: Dad is destiny. More than any other factor, a father’s presence in the family will determine a child’s success and happiness.”
Dr. Charlie Shedd tells of an experience he had on a plane. He was seated next to a well-dressed man who was absorbed in an article about teenagers and drugs. When he finished reading, the man closed the magazine and began staring out the window of the plane. In a half-whisper to himself he said, “Oh God – I wonder why? I suppose nobody knows.” And then he added, “But if a father can make the difference, I sure want to make the difference.”
Dr. Shedd began conversing with the man, asking him questions. He learned that he was a successful businessman who was burdened by the demands of his career. He had a wife and three children, and nothing was higher on his agenda for the years ahead that to be an effective father—a father who would “make the difference.”
Dad, you can “make the difference.”
“The most urgent domestic challenge facing the United States at the close of the 20th century is the re-creation of fatherhood as a social role for men.”—David Blankenhorn, Institute for American Values.
“A good father does these basic things: provides for his family, protects his family, and gives spiritual and moral guidance.”—David Blankenhorn
The second truth is this: No child is prepared for life who hasn’t been taught the love of Jesus Christ.
We can raise children who have impeccable academic credentials, and who live in the finest homes and drive the most expensive cars, who have everything that the world uses to measure success, but who, in reality, are nothing but empty shells with no real purpose in life. With all of the advantages we have to offer our children here in America, we can still raise children who live only for themselves and have no concept of their life in relationship to God and others.
The greatest need our children have is to learn about the love of Jesus Christ. If they know that love, we won’t have to worry that they will be dragged down by temptation and despair later in their lives.
That’s why attendance at worship is so important. I cannot imagine