## Teach Your Children

## Ephesians 6:1-4

There was a young couple who had just purchased brand new appliances for their house, and they decided to give their old refrigerator to their parents. Since they lived many miles apart, they just shipped the refrigerator to their parents. A few days later the phone rang, her mother said, "Honey, we want to send you a check for the refrigerator." The daughter said, "No, Mom, it's a gift. We want you to have it." The mother said, "But you could have sold it and made money." The daughter said, "Look, Mom, just consider it as repayment for all those days that you took care of me when I was at home." After a slight pause her mother said, "In that case the refrigerator doesn't cover it." I heard about a little boy who was attending a special worship service that included a parent-child dedication. On the way home from church the little boy was crying in the backseat of the car. His dad said, "What's wrong son?" After wiping his tears and clearing his throat, the little boy said, "Well, the preacher said we ought to be reared in a good Christian home, but I'd rather stay with you and mom."

Well, I believe every child ought to be reared in a good Christian home by parents who love the Lord, who read the Bible and pray with their children, and who model the life of Christ before them. Children need to see their parents serving the Lord in a good Bible-believing church. They need to hear their parents pray and watch as God answers those prayers. In other words, they need to see that being a Christian is real! 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!

Believe me this morning, I am not an expert on being a parent. Although I believe I am a better Grandparent now because I have learned a few more things about the biblical role of parenthood. This morning I want to share three thoughts with you that will help us be the right kind of Mom or Dad.

I. Teach Children the Right Message

A. Teach Them What Is Required.

(Ephesians 6:1) Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

1. The first lesson in the school of life every child must be taught by his parents is the lesson of obedience.

2. If you are a young parent take heed.

3. Children will not naturally obey; they must be trained to obey.

4. Children must understand from the time that they are born that obedience is not an option, it is an obligation.

5. Some enlightened folks may scoff at this, but it isn't just to make your life easier!

6. Teaching your children obedience will please the Lord.

(Colossians 3:20) Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

B. We Should Teach What Is Right.

(Ephesians 6:1) Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

1. In this day and age of political correctness, those three little words speak volumes!

2. It is right for children to obey the Lord, whether they are Christian children or non-Christian children; whether they go to church or don't go to church; whether they believe in God or don't believe in God.

3. It is right for children to obey their parents.

4. Some of you might think…no problem, got it covered: I send them to GBA; they attend Sunday School, VBS, Kids Klub, and AWANA.

5. That is wonderful, but none of the above mentioned groups have the God-given responsibility to teach your children.

6. The responsibility of teaching right and wrong to kids rests squarely upon the shoulders of Mom and Dad.

7. Where do I start? Three simple principles:

a. There is a difference between right and wrong, and God tells us which is which.

b. You are to do right and not wrong.

c. If you do wrong and not right you will suffer the consequences.

C. We Should Teach Them What Is Rewarding.

(Ephesians 6:2-3) Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

1. Children should also honor parents.

2. There is a difference between obeying parents and honoring parents.

3. Obedience is outward, honor is inward.

4. Obedience is an action, honor is an attitude.

5. It is possible to obey your parents without honoring your parents, but you cannot honor your parents without obedience.

6. This principle has its reward. 'That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."

7. Not a bad benefit…but we must teach this truth to our children for them to enjoy it.

II. Teach Children in the Right Manner

A. Paul addressed this primarily to fathers because they are at the head of the home, but it is applicable to both mother and father.

(Ephesians 6:4a) And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath:

B. We can either beat our kids down by staying on their case twenty-four hours a day, or we can build our kids up.

C. We can either discourage them or we can encourage them.

(Colossians 3:21) Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

D. As parents, we must understand that the way we teach is just as important as what we teach.

E. We can teach our kids one of two ways.

1. We can be negative, screaming and fussing at them all the time.

2. Or, we can be positive; look for the good and not for the bad, look for the right and not for the wrong, and try to build them up and not tear them down.

(Proverbs 16:21) The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

III. Teach Children the Right Master

A. We provide for their physical needs.

B. But we are also responsible for their spiritual needs.

(Ephesians 6:4b) But bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

1. It is not enough to put a roof over our children's head; we must put the Lord into their heart.

2. It is not enough to give them clothing; we must give them spiritual armor.

3. That's what this verse is talking about when we are instructed to "bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

C. We cannot teach them what we do not know!

1. This morning, I would like to invite each of you here today to come to Christ.

2. Come to Him by faith…trust Him as your Lord and Savior.

3. The Bible is clear on the matter of salvation.

(Acts 16:30-31) "…Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…"

(Romans 10:9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

(Romans 10:13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

- Teach the Right Message
- Teach in the Right Manner
- Teach the Right Master

How are we doing as parents and grandparents? What are we teaching our children? We are teaching by example, but what kind of example?

Come this morning and meet God at this altar. Come today and get back to where we need to be with Him. Come today and recommit our lives to teach our children and grandchildren in the way that will honor God!