Young people need to know about their Creator (Eccl. 12:1ff). They need to learn the fact that God, having created the world and all things therein (Acts 17:24), has the right to govern His creatures.
It is to their advantage that He so governs, directs, forbids, gives examples and shows by necessary implication that it’s for man’s good that He so acts (Deut. 6:24).
It is essential, if parents are going to bring up the child in the “way he should go” (Prov. 22:6), that they demonstrate by example, that they truly believe what they teach. Also, they need to continue to speak (repetition), of precept and command, that God has the right to rule, and when man fails to be governed by Him, he/she is really being governed by Satan, man’s adversary (Rom. 6:16; Eph. 2:2-3).
We understand from the sacred writings of the New Testament that Timothy was blessed in that he had a mother and grandmother who taught him by word and example (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15). Children today are, likewise, blessed when they have parents who see to it that their child is taught about God’s authority!
The Value of Memory Work
Memory work is a valuable exercise, and children can learn verses early in life, if trained to do so. I suggest having a child to learn to quote (memorize) Hebrews 1:1-2 would be a good thing. Then drill the child from time to time, in a fun way, on what the words of those verses mean. “God” – who is He? What has He done? “Sundry times” (see other translations) – meaning? Why has He done some things in the past that He does not do today? In “divers manners” – how God dwelt with man at different times. “Spoke to the fathers” – who were they? Why did God speak to them? What did He tell them when He spoke? What various ways did He teach them so they could learn and know? Always point to examples of people obeying (such as Noah and Abraham) and the success they achieved when they obeyed. Look at people who disobeyed (such as Nadab and Abihu) and the tragic results they met. The prophets: who were they (learn some names such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Elijah, etc.).
“In the last days” – which is the time-period in which we live. What is the meaning and when did they start? Where are we? What is written to us? “By His Son” – who is the Son? What does that mean? Why is Jesus called a “Son”? “Heir of all things” – what does this mean (read and remember Matt. 28:18; Col. 3:17). “By whom also He made the worlds” – how did God create the world by the Son? How could God say let “us” make man (Gen. 1:26), if there is only one person involved? Point to the implication of that statement. See how it is born out in other passages.
How valuable it is to have parents who take time to teach children!
Is all this too deep for children? In answering, consider: are the theories subtly taught children about how things came into being too deep for them? Children can be taught very early in life that God made all things (Acts 17:24-28). How loving and caring He is. How wise He is to guide us in all things. Yes, parents let us not grow weary of what our children are taught in schools, by their play mates, etc., and fail to engage them in conversation about spiritual matters. Where we came from, and thus, how we are related to God and to His other creatures, are certainly things that need to be taught to our children.
Dangerous Results of Not Learning God’s Authority
If a child does not learn to respect God’s authority, he is not likely to respect parents, police, the rights of others, etc., either.
Parents, what a great opportunity to teach a young impressionable person – a child – who is filled with curiosity, interested in “why” things are as they are! How important it is to teach that person – for his/her eternal well-being, for society’s good, for the people of his/her community’s good.
Penitentiaries are filled with people who didn’t learn God’s authority from people who were their parents, overseers, guardians, people with the opportunity to demonstrate the rightness of obeying God, who spoke favorably of God and His word and associated with people who love God and show it in their everyday behavior.
Some children grow up among “professed Christians,” who are always griping, grumbling, and complaining about brethren, how difficult it is to serve God, etc. Children who experienced such will determine not to associate with people of that disposition, feeling that religion is a wall behind which people hid their real self and put on a front. It’s really no wonder why they won’t have anything to do with that type of religion.
Yes, parents, seize the moment – teach your children God’s authority. You’ll be blessed many times if you will first show them, secondly verbally drill them so they’ll find it enjoyable and very valuable to know the precepts of God, how He directs; and then by implication, help them to see the treasures available to them in God’s revelation. You’ll have many occasions to be sad if you fail to teach your children God’s authority. If you are wise, you’ll look around and see examples of this truth in action.
Remember: children who see a sermon are more impressed and better equipped, than one who only hears! It’s better to be shown the way and to be told about it.
- edited, The Preceptor, April 1996