IV.  Adult / Parental Responsibility

A.   General Exhortation

There is no reference in Scripture to indicate that God ordained government to raise or to train children.

Therefore, God did not call government to provide day care, education, or physical provisions for our children.

The Church (where the need is legitimate) and the parents provide such needs. Parents may delegate their authority to others (family, the state, the Church, etc.) But this does not remove their accountability before God.

In America, the government has conceded this point. In the higher courts, government has ruled favorably on behalf of religious populations and homeschoolers in terms of parental authority. This may change. If it does, it will not negate what God ordained.

 

Psalm 127:1a (Lord must be seen as the builder)

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.

Proverbs 14:1 (God's wisdom needed)

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

Luke 6:40 (parents need to train their "disciples" well)

A disciple is not above his teacher, but every one when he is fully taught will be like his teacher.

Matthew 18:4-6 (parents must not be source of stumbling)

And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones, which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

1 Samuel 1:28a (wise parents return child to the Lord)

Therefore also I [Hannah] have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord.

Matthew 19:14 (parents must not hinder child from coming to Christ)

But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." And he laid His hands on them and departed from there. NKJV

Deuteronomy 6:7-9 (take child's training very seriously)

And these words, which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; 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. And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

2 Timothy 3:15 (parents shall teach child the Word)

You have known the Holy Scriptures since you were a child. The Scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation through believing in Christ Jesus. SIM

Ephesians 6:4b (parents shall train child in the Word)

Bring them [children] up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4a (parents must not provoke child)

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath.

Col. 3:21 (parents must not provoke child)

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

Proverbs 24:11-12 (deliver child from spiritual and physical death)

If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

2 Cor. 12:14 (parents must provide for child)

Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

Mark 3:27 (parents must spiritually protect child)

No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

Lev. 19:29 (parents must guide child from sexual evil)

Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.

Galatians 6:7 (parents will reap whatever is sown)

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Numbers 30:3-5 (parents must guide spiritual commitments)

If a woman also vow a vow unto the Lord, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father's house in her youth; and her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her; then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand. But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the Lord shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her.

 

 

 

B.   Specific Exhortation

[These words are written to specific groups of people, but there are Godly living patterns found for all. For everyone should aspire to have the character of leaders. And everyone should help mothers and fathers raise up a Godly generation after them.]

1 Timothy 3:12 (to deacons)

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

1 Timothy 5:14 (to widows)

I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

Titus 1:6 (to elders)

If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

Titus 2:4 (to older women)

That they [older women] may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.

1 Timothy 3:2,4-5 (to bishops)

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach. One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

 

 

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