Noah Taught His Family

by Micky Galloway

Noah was "a preacher of righteousness" (II Peter 2:5), who did much of his teaching at home. Consequently, "In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Jepheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark" (Genesis 7:13). Indeed, this was a great day, for Noah saved his family. Others have not been so successful. Judges 2:10 says, "And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them that knew not Jehovah, nor yet the work which he had wrought for Israel."

It is disturbing when children of faithful brethren never obey the gospel or, as soon as they are away from home they forsake the Lord and His church. I, too, am a parent who desires that my children love and serve God all their lives. If they forsake the Lord, I want it to be in spite of me, not because of me (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4; Matthew 16:26).

Timothy was a young man who was a second or third generation Christian. He was one of "unfeigned faith ... which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice ..." (II Timothy 1:5). His mother and grandmother taught him the Scriptures from the time that he was a "babe", that he might become "wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (II Timothy 3:15). Indeed, one's salvation is an individual choice. A person will be converted to Christ when he is personally convicted of his sins and obeys the gospel from the heart. However, I am persuaded that one reason why we may lose our young people to the world is because parents are failing in their responsibility to consistently train unto godliness "FROM A BABE."

The apostle Paul, who considered himself Timothy's spiritual father, gave him specific instructions and warnings to prevent him from casting aside his faith: 1) Be godly (I Timothy 4:7-8), devout and sincere in his faith rather than just going through the motions. 2) Trust in God (I Timothy 4:10). 3) Be a faithful example to others in all areas of his life (I Timothy 4:12). 4) Be completely dedicated in his faith, as opposed to half-hearted service (I Timothy 4:13-15). 5) Take heed to himself and his doctrine, i.e. practice what you believe and preach (I Timothy 4:16). 6) Flee sin and follow after righteousness (I Timothy 6:11). 7) Keep the commandments until the day of the Lord (I Timothy 6:14). 8) Be not ashamed of his faith, nor the gospel; be bold (II Timothy 1:8,11-14). 9) Be diligent (II Timothy 2:15).

Our children today need to hear and give heed to these things. There is real danger of one's faith not being genuine. It is possible for our children to believe certain things just because Mom and Dad believes them, instead of having individual conviction that must be "learned" of God (John 6:44-45) by knowledge of the Scriptures. Conviction is not inherited! True faith comes by the individual hearing and believing (Romans 10:17). Faithfulness is individual. "... The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him" (Ezekiel 18:20). The Bible clearly teaches that one can fall from grace, no matter how good an environment he was reared in (Galatians 5:4; I Corinthians 10:12). Many fail to personally study God's Word for themselves. Christians, from the beginning, must "long for the spiritual milk ..." (I Peter 2:2), so they may grow in faith. First generation Christians hunger and thirst to obtain Bible knowledge; but, some who are "raised in the church" may think they already "know" all they need to without personal study. Parents, let us never become lax in providing the proper spiritual training (Ephesians 6:1-4). Taking my children to worship, as important as that is, is no substitute for providing a godly atmosphere in the home with regular Bible study coupled with a good example. The "do as I say, not as I do" approach does not work!

Let us examine ourselves by the standard of God's word, both parents and children (II Corinthians 13:5), and serve God out of personal conviction, continuing in spiritual growth (II Peter 1:5-10).