Training Children to be Faithful

Introduction

As parents, you may confidently rear your children according to God’s Word. While bringing up your children, you are to remember that your children are not your “possessions” but instead are the Lord’s gift to you. You are to exercise faithful stewardship in their lives (based on Psalm 19:7-11, 24:1, 127:3-5; Proverbs 22:6; Ezekiel 18:4, 20; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Ephesians 6:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:3-13).

Principles for Training Children to be Faithful to the Lord

As you rear your children, remember that you are bringing them up to live as individuals who will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and to please Him in all respects (Proverbs 20:11, 22:6; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 1:10). In order to train your children to be faithful to the Lord:

You must teach and lead them in the way they should live, which is not in the way they are “naturally” inclined (Psalm 14:2-3; Proverbs 22:15; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-12). Because every individual is born with a sin nature (based on Psalm 51:5; Proverbs 20:9; Romans 3:23, 5:12-14), your children must first be regenerated (have a spiritual new birth) (John 1:12, 3:16-18; Acts 4:12; Romans 6:23; 1 John 5:11-13); and then, in the power of the Holy Spirit, they are to walk in the way of the Lord (Romans 8:1-10; Colossians 1:10, 2:6-7; 1 John 2:3-6). This means that:

You are not to look to any worldly source for guidance in training up your children. Your commitment to the Word of God must remain unwavering, since Scripture gives true wisdom for the training of your children (based on Isaiah 55:8-11; Jeremiah 29:11-14; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; James 1:5, 22-25; 1 John 5:1-4).

You must recognize that you are not the ultimate authority in the lives of your children. They are the Lord’s gift to you, for your temporary stewardship (based on Psalm 24:1, 127:3; Ezekiel 18:4). You are to help your children recognize their need for becoming children of God through salvation (based on Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21) which will lead them to live in obedience to God’s Word (based on Luke 11:28; John 14:23-24; 1 Corinthians 2:9-12; 2 Peter 1:3-10).

Regardless of how much you love your children, you must recognize that God the Father loves them far more (based on John 3:16; Romans 5:8). For your believing children:

He works together all circumstances, relationships, and things in their lives for their good (based on Jeremiah 29:11-14; Romans 8:28-29).

No matter how much you may desire to keep adversity from them, your responsibility is to teach your children to expect trials (1 Peter 4:12-13), to rejoice in the midst of them (James 1:2-4), and to grow into Christlikeness through these tests as they learn obedience through faithfulness (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4).

Remind your children that the Lord is continually strengthening each one of them to keep them from sinning (based on Psalm 121; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 1 Peter 1:3-9; Jude 1:24-25).

You must keep in mind that, from their formation, God has given each of your children different abilities and talents according to His sovereignty (based on Psalm 139:13-16). A child who has experienced a spiritual new birth has also been given at least one spiritual gift to be used in ministry for the Lord (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 11). You must deal with the training of each of your children according to:

The way that God has worked in the life of each child (based on Proverbs 22:6); and

Each child’s trust in the Lord for salvation (John 1:12; 3:36; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 John 5:11-13), which will be demonstrated by faithful and loving obedience to God’s Word (based on 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Psalm 112:1; John 14:15, 21; James 1:22; 1 John 5:3).

You are to teach your children to deny themselves daily (Luke 9:23-25), to live a life of selfless dedication to the glory of the Lord (based on Matthew 5:16; John 3:27-36; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 1:10; 1 Peter 2:12), and to build up others for their good (based on Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 14:13, 19; 15:1-2; Galatians 5:13-14; 6:2, 10; Ephesians 4:15-16; Hebrews 10:23-25). This Biblical training goes contrary to the teaching of the world, which highlights a “love for self.” For this reason,

You must stay alert and use every opportunity to teach your children the ways of the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Proverbs 25:11-12); and

You must help them to be strong in the Lord and to stand firm against the things of the world (1 John 2:15-17) and of Satan, who seeks to defeat them and accuse them at all times (Ephesians 6:10-11; 1 Peter 5:8-9; Revelation 12:10).

Areas of Your Children’s Lives in which Biblical Training is Necessary through Your Example, Instruction, and Discipline

In their personal lives,

you must train your children through example, teaching, encouragement, support, reproof, and discipline. For example:

In the area of commitment,

You are to be one of the primary means by which the Good News of Jesus Christ is presented to your children, out of a deep concern for their salvation (based on Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Ephesians 6:4).

You are continuously teach them God’s Word and to encourage them to practice it so they, as living sacrifices to the Lord, can walk in a manner worthy of Him (based on Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Matthew 28:20; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 1:10). You can do this as you:

Teach your children how to have a daily personal time of devotions.

Teach your children God’s Word and its practice through the avenue of family devotions and worship.

Help your children begin to develop the habit of Scripture memory.

Teach your children to pray on a regular basis by praying with them in the morning, at mealtimes, at bedtime, and during the day when prayer matters or needs arise, etc.

Give your children a solid foundation for knowledge of the Scriptures by your example and by teaching them how to study God’s Word for themselves.

Teach your children the importance of assembling with other believers for worship, hearing the Scriptures preached, fellowship, Bible study, and prayer. This can be accomplished through the local church.

In the daily practices of life,

you are to teach your children to accept responsibilities and complete tasks faithfully, regardless of their feelings. Teach your believing children to please and glorify the Lord (Psalm 115:1; 2 Corinthians 5:9) and not be men-(parent)-pleasers (based on Galatians 1:10; Ephesians 6:6-8; 1 Thessalonians 2:4). Use the following sample list to help instruct, train, and guide them in all their responsibilities. To do the above, they must learn:

The importance of diligently doing their work, such as household tasks or school homework (based on 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13).

To be good stewards of all that has been entrusted to them in the following ways:

Using their time wisely in order to fulfill necessary tasks, to have recreational (playtime) activities, and to enjoy fellowship with the family and friends (based on Ephesians 5:15-16);

Caring for and disciplining their bodies through proper nutrition, rest, exercise, cleanliness, dressing/grooming, and sexual purity (based on 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7);

Managing and caring for their material goods (such as tools, toys, household goods, money, and other personal and family items) in an unselfish manner (based on Luke 16:10-13; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5; Philippians 2:3-4, 4:11-13; 1 Timothy 6:6, 17-19; James 2:15-16).

Using their abilities (such as those used in helping parents and others with tasks), talents (such as those involving musical, instruments, singing, speaking, sports, etc.), and spiritual gifts (such as helps, mercy, giving, teaching, etc.) to benefit and build up others instead of furthering their own self-centered interests or desires (based on Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 9:23-24, 12:13-48, 16:10-13; Romans 14:19, 15:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; Ephesians 5:15-17; 1 Peter 4:10).

In their interpersonal relationships,

you are to train your children to:

Obey and honor their parents (Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20);

Be subject to and respectful of all authorities, at church, at school, and wherever they are (based on Romans 13:1-5; Ephesians 6:1-8; 1 Peter 2:11-25);

Care for and help their brothers and sisters (based on Matthew 22:37-39; Romans 12:9-21, 14:19, 15:1-2; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; Philippians 2:3-4; 2 Timothy 2:24-26);

Face interpersonal problems regularly and deal with them by first judging self, then forgiving others and seeking reconciliation (based on Matthew 5:23-24, 7:1-5; Mark 11:25-26);

Serve others at home and within the church (based on Galatians 6:10; Philippians 2:3-8);

Live as ambassadors of Jesus Christ before all others (2 Corinthians 5:20), since their lives are to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16) and a sweet aroma of Jesus Christ to everyone (2 Corinthians 2:14-17); and

Be at peace with all men, as far as it depends on them (your children) (based on Romans 12:18).