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Children will never learn to obey the Lord unless and until they first learned to obey their parents.
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A Biblical Theology of Parenting (I)
( Goal of Christian Parenting )
© Feb 1998 Alan S.L. Wong
Revised Apr 2006

A Biblical Theology of Parenting

There are many books on parenting but what does the Bible say about bringing up children? Is Christian parenting any different from parenting in general?

In this article, I seek to share with you a biblical perspective on parenting ... its aims, principles and methods. We will also explore its application. I do not have all the answers. Like you, I am learning as I move along in life. Let's begin our journey by listening to Moses' exhortation.

Goal of Christian Parenting

"These are the commands ...
the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe ...
so that you, your children and their children ...
may fear the LORD your God as long as you live ...
by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you ..."
Deut 6:1-2

Many parents take great pains to prepare our children for school and to ensure their acadamic success but our primary objective as Christian parents is not to ensure that our children get good grades, go to the Poly or Uni. In Deut 6:1-2, Moses challenged the nation of Israel to leave behind people (children and grandchildren) who fear the Lord.

What is the fear of the Lord?

  1. In the giving of the Commandments, the Israelites were so filled with fear and awe by the revelation of God that they requested that they not hear of God directly and that Moses act as an intermediary to relay God's Word to them (Exo. 19:16; 20:18-21).

    But Moses was quick to point out they should not be afraid (to approach God?) but that they should be afraid to sin. In other words, they should keep from sinning. In the Old Testament, the fear of the LORD is knowing His moral purity and omnipotence such that one is afraid to sin and disobey Him (c.f., Deut. 6:13-15).

  2. In Proverbs, the fear of the LORD is characterised by a life ...

    1. fleeing from sin (Prov. 3:7; 8:13) and

    2. pursuing righteousness (Prov. 14:2).

This fear of the LORD is reflected (evidenced) by a life of obedience to God and His Word (c.f., Deut. 6:1-2).

This is consistent with the Great Commission where Jesus commanded His disciples ...

"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;
and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Matt 28:18-20

I know how to teach the commandments of God, the Word of God but how do you teach obedience to God? How can we leave behind children who fear the Lord ... children who obey the Lord?

I have a thought ... children will never learn to obey the Lord unless and until they first learned to obey their parents.



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