by bro Lee Tian Seng
Not many parents realise the great responsibility that they have to teach their children. Their focus is more on providing for the material needs of their children and leave the teaching to others. It could be that both parents are working and are too busy to teach and guide their children.
The Bible teaches that parents have the duty of teaching and nurturing their children.
Ephesians 6:4 - And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Proverbs 1:8-9 - My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; for they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck.
We read of the “law of your mother”. It reminds us that it not just the responsibility of the father to teach their children but the mother’s responsibility as well. It also suggests that parents need to set rules (law) for their children to follow and if they fail to obey them, they will be punished. Are we setting standards for our children to follow? Are we insistent that they should obey the rules that we set? Are we doing all these to bring them up “in the training and admonition of the Lord”?
On the other hand, children are expected to hear or obey the instructions of their parents. We need to teach children that God expects them to obey and respect their parents. This is a commandment of God.
Exodus 20:12 - Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
And it is also taught in the New Testament:
Ephesians 6:1-3 - Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
Children need instructions on how they should live and guidance on how they are to behave, and it is the responsibility of the parents to teach, instruct and guide them with the teachings of God.