Rev. David Holwick
First Baptist Church (Bible Study)
Ledgewood, New Jersey
November 11, 1990
Proverbs 22:6
THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY AND CHILDREN
I. Parents have primary responsibility in raising children.
A. Set the pattern early. Prov 22:6
B. Well-rounded growth is goal. Luke 2:52
II. Dangers of being a parent.
A. Parents are not perfect. Luke 11:13
B. Bad parents can affect several generations. Deut 5:9-10, Ex 20:5
1) But good parents can affect thousands! Deut 5:10
III. Teaching children.
A. About dangers in world.
1) Bad friends. Prov 1:10-16
2) Bad habits: booze, gluttony. Prov 23:19-21; 2 Tim 2:22
3) Loose women. Prov 5:3; 31:2
4) Easy credit. Prov 6:1
B. About God.
1) 1 Tim 1:18, Prov 1:8, Prov 3:1-6, Prov 3:3, Deut 6:1-9,
Deut 11:19, Prov 6:20-23, Prov 7:1
C. Results.
1) Obedient children bring joy. Prov 15:20
2) Foolish children bring disappointment. Prov 17:21,25
IV. How to be a lousy parent.
A. Do not give your children boundaries.
1) King David never asked his son Adonijah, "Why do you behave
as you do?" 1 Kings 1:6
2) Children without boundaries disgrace their parents. Prov 29:15
B. Do not be aware of what they are doing.
1) Eli was last to know the sin his sons were up to. 1 Sam 2:22-14
2) When he found out, he did not restrain them. 1 Sam 3:13
C. Be upset with children but do nothing concrete about it.
1) King David was angry at abuse of his daughter Tamar, but did
nothing about it. Death of son Amnon resulted. 2 Sam 13:21
D. Show favoritism.
1) Abraham favored Isaac over Ishmael. Gen 21:9-10
2) Jacob favored Joseph and tore up the whole family. Gen 37:3-4
E. Allow a blended family (polygamy, divorce/remarriage) to mess up
your children. The following are specific dangers:
1) Incest. 2 Sam 13:1 Amnon and Tamar
2) Favoritism. Gen 21:9-10 Isaac and Ishmael
3) Intrigue - and murder. 2 Sam 13:28 Absalom and Amnon
4) Rebellion. 2 Sam 15:14 Absalom and David
V. Parents and spiritual instruction.
A. Parents have the primary responsibility - not the church. Deut 6:1
B. Goal should be for all children to accept Jesus. Acts 11:14; 16:33
1) Train them from an early age. Prov 1:8; 22:6
2) Train them intentionally (even if they resist). 1 Tim 1:8
VI. Discipline.
A. If you love your children, discipline them. Prov 13:24
1) Show love by giving them good things. Luke 11:11-13
B. Discipline drives out folly. Prov 22:15
C. Discipline won't kill them. Prov 23:13
1) Alternative (rotten kids) is worse. Prov 23:14
2) For extreme illustration, see Deuteronomy 21:18-21
D. Discipline in positive ways as well. Prov 23:15-22,
Prov 3:11-12; 19:18, 29:17; Deut 8:5
E. Do not exasperate children. Eph 6:4
VII. Duty of children.
A. Obey parents. Eph 6:1; Luke 2:51 (Jesus)
B. Honor parents. Eph 6:2
