Teaching Our Children (And Grandchildren)

by Micky Galloway

Proverbs 17:6 says, “Children’s children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.” Indeed, but with this comes continued responsibility. Israel was commanded to teach their children and their children’s children. “Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes saw, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life; but make them known unto thy children and thy children’s children; the day that thou stoodest before Jehovah thy God in Horeb, when Jehovah said unto me, Assemble me the people, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children” (Deuteronomy 4:9-10). This was emphasized over and over again in the law (Deuteronomy 6:6ff; 20ff; Deuteronomy 31:9-13, etc.). The observance of the Passover was to be a means of reminding their children of the great works of God (Exodus 12:24ff). The twelve stones that Joshua set up in Gilgal as a memorial of God parting the Jordan river that the people may enter the land of promise (Joshua 4:20ff) were also to be a reminder of the great things God had done in Israel. To teach these great lessons they must talk with their children as well as teaching by their example. Yet, we read in Judges 2:10, “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 or grandchildren of faithful brethren never obey the gospel or, as soon as they are out from under their parent’s rule they forsake the Lord and His church. This weighs heavy on my mind, especially because I am a parent and a grandparent who, above everything else I want for my family, I want them to love and serve God all their lives. I want to be able to provide for them the physical necessities of life, but if they forsake the Lord, surely I must examine myself to see if I did all I should have to provide for them spiritually (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4; Matthew 16:26). It is easy to look into the precious face of a new born child and answer the question, “What would you give to protect and provide for one so innocent and precious?” We answer quickly and correctly, “Whatever it takes!” Indeed, most would be willing to sacrifice their lives in a moment for their children, but with the passing of time, are we as willing to sacrifice the time necessary to teach them and set before them a lifetime of consistent examples?

Timothy is described as one of “unfeigned faith … which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice …” (II Timothy 1:5). It was because of the faithfulness of his mother and grandmother, who taught him the scriptures from the time that he was a “babe,” so that he became “wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (II Timothy 3:15). This is not to suggest that one cannot become a Christian who was not reared by a godly family, but it certainly would be more difficult. Nor is it to diminish from the fact that one’s salvation is an individual choice. However, I am persuaded that one reason why we may lose our young people to the world is because parents (and grandparents) 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) Not to be ashamed of his faith, nor the gospel; to be bold (II Timothy 1:8, 11-14). 9) Be diligent (II Timothy 2:15).

Our children (and grandchildren) today need to hear and give heed to these things. These dangers are ever present. First, it is possible for our children to believe certain things just because Mom and Dad believe them, instead of having individual conviction that must be “learned” of God (John 6:44-45) by knowledge of the Scriptures. True faith comes by the individual hearing and believing (Romans 10:17). There are too many who are not converted to Christ or else are in error simply because they choose to carry on the “family religion.” Second, it’s easy to take faithfulness for granted if one assumes that just because his/her grandparents and parents were faithful, then I too am faithful. Please note the individuality of faithfulness. “… 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). Third, some never learn true commitment to Christ. They view being a Christian on the basis of having been baptized and attending worship services, but scripture speaks of the church as “subject to Christ” (Ephesians 5:24). “Subject” is a military term meaning “to line-up under” and denotes complete submission and obedience to authority. Fourth, some 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. We may admit our lack of Bible knowledge and will hunger and thirst to obtain it; but, some who are “raised in the church” may think they already “know” all they need to without personal study. Fifth, parents can become lax and will not be diligent in providing the proper spiritual training (cf. 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 in influencing our children to serve God.

Israel failed to properly teach their children and the next generation did not “know Jehovah, nor yet the work which he had wrought for Israel.” Therefore, they did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah. We ARE teaching our children both verbally and by our example, but WHAT are we teaching them? Certainly, the next generation will tell.

It takes time to do the job well! In the words of Helen M. Young from the poem “Children Won’t Wait” …

“… I will not exchange this birthright for a mess of pottage called social position, or business or professional reputation, or a pay check. An hour of concern today may save years of heartache tomorrow. The house will wait, the dishes will wait, the new room can wait, but children won’t wait … May I know that no other career is so precious, no other work so rewarding, no other task too urgent. May I not defer it nor neglect it, but by thy Spirit accept it gladly, joyously, and by Thy grace realize that the time is short and my time is now. For children WON’T wait.”