Christian Family: Teach The Bible To Your Children

It’s the job of the church to teach the Bible to my children.  NO!  It’s the job of the Sunday School or the Christian School to teach my children the Bible.  NO!  They can help.

However, the only ones specifically commanded to teach the Word to their children are the parents – and most specifically, the father.

Abraham received clear information about the coming judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Why?  Because God knew his character.  He knew that Abraham would “command his children and his household after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment” (Genesis 18:19).  Abraham had to teach them directly what he had learned from God.

Why should you teach?

Do you want your children to spend eternity in heaven?  Then teach.  Do you want your children to grow up to be obedient, respectful to authority, productive Christians?  Teach!  Do you want your children to be receptive to the Word of God?  Teach!  Do you want your children to be submissive to God’s will?  Teach.  Do you want your children to remember what God has done for you and them?  Teach.  Do you want to obey God’s commands?  Then teach.

Psalm 78:5-8 sets the standard.  “For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:”

When should you teach and where?

Deuteronomy 6:7 answers this question.  “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”  In other words, teach when you’re sitting, walking, lying down, and when you get up.  Notice that it does not specify when you are having family devotions, although that is one excellent way to teach children.  It is to be a way of life in your home throughout each day.  Every day, any day, anywhere, is a teaching opportunity for you.

Can you use aids for teaching?

Deuteronomy 6 answers “yes” in verses eight and nine.  “And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.  And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” Dr. Warren Wiersbe, in The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, p. 318, wrote this: “The Jews – – wore portions of Scripture in little containers called phylacteries on their forehead and left arm.  They also attached a small container of Scripture, called a mezuzah, to the front door and on every door of the house.”  Today, we can use plaques on the walls or by the doors and a Bible on the table.  There are numerous Bible teaching aids available for children today, including Bible storybooks, videos, and Christian songs for children.

What should you teach?

2 Timothy 3:15-17 answers this question.  “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”  Don’t limit your children by just teaching Bible stories.  They need to know the stories AND their application to life.  They should learn doctrines (Biblical teachings of salvation, God, man, sin, redemption, creation, and other doctrines), reproof (conviction of sin), correction or discipline, and instruction in righteousness (righteous living).  Children are not yet ready for in-depth theological training, but they can and should learn the fundamentals of Christian doctrine.

To help them achieve Christian victory, they need to memorize Scripture, and parents should be the example in memorization.  “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

The result is that they can be saved at an early age and become equipped to become a man or woman of God, prepared for all good works.

For a parent to be qualified to do this teaching, God sets a requirement.  “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7).

Are you ready and preparing to teach your children?