Understanding Biblical Instruction for Children

Introduction

To instruct children in God’s way requires that you live each moment to please the Lord in a deliberate and thoughtful manner. When you teach children, you must take into account each child’s level of spiritual understanding and abilities (based on Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Proverbs 22:6; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 2:5-8, especially verses 7-8; 1 Timothy 1:5; 3 John 1:4).

What does Biblical instruction mean?

In the Old Testament, the primary word for “instruction” also means “teach,” “discipline,” and “admonish.”

In the New Testament, different words convey the concepts of “instruction” and “discipline.” For parental instruction of children, the word “admonition” in Ephesians 6:4 can also be translated “train” or “instruct” and has within it the idea of Biblical counsel. It encompasses:

A Biblical foundation for the instruction (based on 1 Corinthians 10:11; Colossians 3:16);

A loving relationship (based on Acts 20:31; 1 Corinthians 4:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:15);

Wisdom (Colossians 1:28, 3:16) and the exercise of patience (based on Acts 20:31; 1 Thessalonians 5:14);

A goal of seeing the other complete in Christ (Colossians 1:28);

Individual attention (based on Acts 20:31; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:15); and

The understood responsibility of a spiritual leader (1 Thessalonians 5:12).

The concept of “instruction” is also part of the broader meaning of “teaching” (Colossians 1:28, 3:16), which also serves as a basis for this study.

Why is Biblical instruction necessary for both parents and children?

It helps give discernment for true understanding (Proverbs 1:2, 4:1), which begins with the knowledge and reverence of God (Proverbs 9:10).

It gives life to the one who guards it (Proverbs 4:13).

It teaches wise behavior, righteousness, justice, and equity (Proverbs 1:3).

It gives sound judgment to the simple and gives knowledge and discretion to youth (Proverbs 1:4).

It allows one to acquire wise counsel and to increase in learning (Proverbs 1:5).

It prevents foolishness (Proverbs 1:7).

It keeps one on the path of life ((Psalm 27:11; Proverbs 10:17) and helps one to find life (Proverbs 8:32-36, especially verse 35).

It equips and enables one to teach others (based on Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 15:14; 2 Timothy 2:2, 3:16-17).

It gives good judgment (discretion) (Psalm 119:66; Proverbs 5:1-2).

It gives hope (Romans 15:4).

Who is to instruct Biblically and who is to be instructed?

All believers are to:

Teach one another (Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 15:14).

Teach those who are disobedient to the Word (2 Timothy 2:24-26).

Be ready to teach unbelievers the reason for the hope within them (Psalm 51:12-13; 1 Peter 3:15).

Pastors, teachers (Romans 12:6-8, especially verse 7; Ephesians 4:11-12), and elders (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 2:1) are to lead and teach the flock.

Older women are to teach younger women (Titus 2:3-5).

Parents (with the father responsible for leadership) are to teach their children (Deuteronomy 4:9, 6:6-9; Proverbs 1:8; Ephesians 6:4).

What are you to teach children?

You are to proclaim the gospel (the Good News of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ) to your children, just as you are to do with all others who have not received a spiritual new birth (Matthew 28:18-20).

You are to teach them the Scriptures (Deuteronomy 6:6-9).

Set aside specific times to teach your children how to study the Word (based on 2 Timothy 2:15).

Also, teach your children God’s Word at all opportunities that arise throughout the day (Deuteronomy 6:7; Proverbs 25:11-12).

You are to teach them the importance of trusting the Lord (Proverbs 3:1-12) and of being a doer of the Word of God (Matthew 7:24-27).

You are to help them learn the importance of restoration to obedience through the discipline of the Lord. When your children disobey God’s directives for them, you are to teach them about Biblical discipline and faithfully discipline them in a loving manner (Proverbs 3:11-12, 22:15; Hebrews 12:11). In doing this, remember:

Discipline is sorrowful not only for the one being disciplined, but the individual’s sin also grieves the Holy Spirit (based on Ezekiel 18:23, 30-32; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 12:11); and

You are, at all times, to be judging yourself in a Biblical manner (Matthew 7:1-5; Galatians 6:4) and, from your heart, are to have a continuing spirit of forgiveness for all your children’s sins (based on Matthew 18:21-22, 35). You are to grant forgiveness immediately when your children profess repentance (Luke 17:3-4).

You are to teach them to love the Lord and others (based on Matthew 22:37-39; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; 1 John 4:7-8, 5:3).

How are you as a believer to received instructions and what are you to do as a result?

Receive the Word with humility (James 1:21);

Hold fast to the word of life (Philippians 2:12-16, especially verse 16);

Share all good things with those who teach you (Galatians 6:6);

Esteem very highly those who have charge over you and give you instruction (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13);

Keep instruction in your heart, and do not let it depart from you (Proverbs 4:20-21);

Pay serious attention to (heed) instruction, not neglecting it, that you may be wise and blessed (Proverbs 8:32-35);

Leave the presence of fools, because they do not speak words of knowledge (Proverbs 14:7);

As a wise man, consider your steps, not naively believing everything or everyone, as do the simple (those who have no reverence for God) (Psalm 19:7; Proverbs 14:15; 1 John 4:1); and

Be a doer of the Word in order to receive the blessings of the Lord (Matthew 7:24-27; James 1:22-25).

How are you to instruct your children?

You must live as an example of a believer (based on 1 Corinthians 11:1; Ephesians 4:1-3; Colossians 2:6-7; 1 Timothy 4:12), demonstrating Biblical love at all times (based on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:7-8).

You are to be diligent to instruct your children at all times and in every situation (based on Deuteronomy 6:7, 11:19).

Your attitude toward your children is to be one of servanthood (i.e., considering them as more important than yourself) (Philippians 2:3-8) without arrogantly imposing your authority over them (as exemplified through Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet in John 13:12-17 and demonstrated by Paul in his care and teaching of others in 1 Thessalonians 2:6-8).

You are to teach them without hypocrisy, not using flattering speech to manipulate them or to gain your own selfish ends (based on Romans 12:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, especially verse 5).

You are not to seek glory for yourself as you instruct your children, but you are to give glory to the Lord throughout your life and your instruction (Psalm 115:1; 1 Corinthians 10:31).

You are to refrain from quarreling but instead are to be kind, patient even when wronged, and gentle when you correct your children (based on 2 Timothy 2:24-25, 4:2). As tenderly as a nursing mother and with fond affection, you are to impart your very life as well as the Word of God to your children (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8).

You are to train your children to be fruitful disciples of Christ (based on Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 6:4). Remember that all of the scriptural principles that apply to your ministry to others also apply for the instruction of your children.

To bring up your children in God’s way, your sole authority is God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:3-4); and you are to follow the example set forth by the Lord Jesus Christ (based on John 13:12-17, especially verse 15; Ephesians 5:1-2; Hebrews 5:8-9, 12:1-3; 1 Peter 2:21-21, especially verse 21).

For each activity or responsibility that your child is to do, instruct them as follows:

From God’s Word, give your children clear teaching about God’s view of life, what people are to do in response to the Lord, and what He can accomplish in the lives of individuals (i.e., show them why they should obey) (as exemplified by Jesus’ call of His disciples in Matthew 4:18-22, 9:9-13; Mark 1:16-17; Luke 5:1-10; John 1:35-51).

Show your children how to obey God’s Word through your example; help them in every new situation (based on the example of Jesus’ training of His disciples in Matthew 8:18-27; Mark 3:20-6:6; John 13:3-12).

For each activity, train your children to make plans for obedience to God’s Word and then to be faithful in putting these plans into practice (based on the example of Jesus having His disciples minister with Him and then commissioning them to leave and minister in other locations without Him, as seen in Matthew 10:1-11:1; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6).

After your children begin to carry out their responsibilities, oversee their work and give them help as necessary to encourage them in God’s way (based on Jesus’ example of giving His disciples help with their questions and difficulties in Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:45-52, 7:17-23, 9:14-29).

After your children have begun to be established in a Biblical pattern of life, challenge, encourage, teach and help them seek opportunities to disciple others (based on Jesus’ commands and training of His disciples in Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-18; John 20:21, 21:14-22; Acts 1:8).