A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
Daily
Encouragement on
Thursday, May
16, 2019
Two great sights in Lancaster County; covered bridges with horse and buggy traffic!
Parents
Raising And Teaching Children
Message
summary:
The primary
responsibility for
raising and teaching
children belongs to
their mother and
father. For many
this may seem
elemental and
non-controversial.
But in more and more
ways the state is
interfering with
this solemn
responsibility.
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 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. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates" (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). "Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from Him" (Psalm 127:3). "Train up a child in the way he should go" (Proverbs 22:6). "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).
I read an article about a current conflict in California due to a new bill that provides a framework for teachers to teach material that parents holding godly, traditional values find extremely objectionable. It's an ongoing debate of whose responsibility it is to raise and teach children.
The fundamental Biblical responsibility in raising and teaching children clearly rests with the parents of the child. The phrase, "It takes a village to raise a child" has some merit if understood correctly. We are indeed thankful for the blessings that others have been involved in the spiritual development of children such as Sunday School teachers, Bible Club workers, youth leaders, etc. Ester also had some very fine public school teachers and we know there are good and caring public school teachers all across America.
Listen to our
message on your
audio player.
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 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. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates" (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). "Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from Him" (Psalm 127:3). "Train up a child in the way he should go" (Proverbs 22:6). "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).
I read an article about a current conflict in California due to a new bill that provides a framework for teachers to teach material that parents holding godly, traditional values find extremely objectionable. It's an ongoing debate of whose responsibility it is to raise and teach children.
The fundamental Biblical responsibility in raising and teaching children clearly rests with the parents of the child. The phrase, "It takes a village to raise a child" has some merit if understood correctly. We are indeed thankful for the blessings that others have been involved in the spiritual development of children such as Sunday School teachers, Bible Club workers, youth leaders, etc. Ester also had some very fine public school teachers and we know there are good and caring public school teachers all across America.
But sadly, "It
takes a village"
includes
messaging and
materials that
are often
contrary to
Biblical
teaching and
example. The
"village" is
made up of the
professional
educators,
social workers,
childcare
providers and
others who claim
to know what is
best for our
children. And
this becomes a
serious issue
if their
perception of
what is best
is contrary to
that of the
parents, which
it
increasingly
is.
Thus far
the school choice
issue has mostly
involved financing
and parents have
been free to
educate their
children as they
believe best. Here
in rural
Pennsylvania we
have many children
still schooled in
a one room
schoolhouse,
grades 1 through
8. There are
various types of
private schools
and home schools,
but I earnestly
believe that there
are now those in
authority who want
to limit even
these fundamental
choices parents
now have as to who
will educate their
children
(essentially
public, private,
or home school).
As one conservative commentator expressed concerning the forceful agenda of the far left, "You will be made to believe" (not in God and moral values but the agenda of the progressives). One of the most frightening forms of persecution that is closer than many think is over the control of our children. I cringe at the thought that children of Godly parents may be required by the state to attend what are increasingly indoctrination centers where Biblical values taught in the home and church are repressed, undermined, and mocked. Not all public education falls in that category but far too much of it does, both primary and secondary education and certainly the moral wasteland of much post-secondary education.
So, amidst the troubling world in which we live, here's our challenge for you today. Teach your children the ways of the Lord which will increasingly be contrary to the ways of the world. It's your fundamental responsibility to provide for their needs. It is one of our most precious freedoms and certainly one of our gravest responsibilities that we shouldn't neglect or take for granted.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
As one conservative commentator expressed concerning the forceful agenda of the far left, "You will be made to believe" (not in God and moral values but the agenda of the progressives). One of the most frightening forms of persecution that is closer than many think is over the control of our children. I cringe at the thought that children of Godly parents may be required by the state to attend what are increasingly indoctrination centers where Biblical values taught in the home and church are repressed, undermined, and mocked. Not all public education falls in that category but far too much of it does, both primary and secondary education and certainly the moral wasteland of much post-secondary education.
So, amidst the troubling world in which we live, here's our challenge for you today. Teach your children the ways of the Lord which will increasingly be contrary to the ways of the world. It's your fundamental responsibility to provide for their needs. It is one of our most precious freedoms and certainly one of our gravest responsibilities that we shouldn't neglect or take for granted.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father,
You have
blessed us in
various ways,
and for the
vast majority
of couples You
have blessed
them with
children whom
they will
raise from
birth to
adulthood. As
believers they
not only
oversee their
children's
welfare,
nutrition,
schooling, and
discipline,
but they also
have
responsibility
to spiritually
nurture them
in the ways of
the Lord. We
are
increasingly
dealing with
opposition
from public
institutions
that undermine
the Biblical
worldview and
seek to force
their outlook
and behavior
on believers.
Fortify our
young parents
who model
Christianity
and teach
Biblical
truths in the
home. Protect
them from the
evil one who
goes about
like a roaring
lion seeking
those whom he
may devour. We
can do all
things through
Christ who
strengthens
us; through
Christ who
enables us to
take a stand
against
popular
culture that
is not aligned
with
Scripture, for
where sin
abounds grace
doth much more
abound. Amen.Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental Resources
"Save My
Family" Video Tribute
Quartet
Article referred to in today's message concerning the California bill Video clip
Article referred to in today's message concerning the California bill Video clip
Finally today:
Our
Ericaceae
cousins are all blooming in
our backyard
Left
to right - Mountain Laurel,
Azalea, Rhododendron
Mountain
Laurel blooms are smaller so
here's a close-up from a
previous year.
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
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Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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