“How can we raise our children for the Lord Jesus?”

June 2024 – Grace & Truth Magazine

QUESTION: How can we raise our children for the Lord Jesus? What does Scripture teach? 

ANSWER: God wants to bless His children and to do them good. Christian parents desire to be a blessing to their children, whom they see as God’s gift to them (Ps. 127:3). Furthermore, God is the Source of all wisdom (Jas. 1:5). Therefore, parents need to turn to Him and His Word to find the resources that are necessary to bring up their children in the fear of the Lord.

In trying to answer these questions, let us briefly consider the example of Hannah and her family in 1 Samuel. Hannah’s husband, Elkanah, was a Levite who served the LORD. Possibly because his wife was not able to conceive, Elkanah took a second wife, something that happened often in those days but was not, and is not, part of God’s design for marriage (see Gen. 2:24).

Elkanah had several children with his second wife, and she started to despise Hannah. However, this was not the only matter that caused Hannah much grief. Hannah truly cared for God’s interests. It seems the poor state of the high priest in that day, Eli, and the sinful actions of his two sons caused Hannah to be greatly concerned.

When praying, Hannah made a vow that if she would have a son she would devote him to the Lord’s service. In His grace God answered her prayers and gave her and Elkanah a son whom they named Samuel, which possibly means, “asked of God.” Later, God gave them three more sons and two daughters (1 Sam. 2:21).

When Samuel was still young, Hannah brought him to the high priest, dedicating her son to God’s service there. Samuel had already been trained for God’s service when he was still home, since his father was a Levite. The Levites were chosen by God to serve Him (consider Num. 3). Even though Samuel was then under the care and instruction of the high priest, Hannah praised God and continued to pray for her little boy. Both Hannah and Elkanah faithfully cared for him and provided for his needs (see 1 Sam. 1–2). The Lord used all those preparations, and then He taught and led Samuel further (1 Sam. 3).

This remarkable story from God’s Word encourages and teaches Christian couples to train their child or children in the ways of the Lord. However, for the day of grace in which we live, God has not given commands as those had who were living under the Old Testament laws. Rather, He teaches us by the many examples of which we read in Scripture and that were written to encourage us even today. Read, for instance, Matthew 1–2; Luke 1–2; John 1–2; 1 Timothy 1–3.

These and many other Scriptures provide us with useful instructions and examples that answer the questions in the heading of this article. Many good counseling books exist and devoted older brothers and sisters in the faith may help as well, but go to Scripture first! We strongly encourage young couples to commit themselves entirely to the Lord and rely on Him for help in this and every need.

Answered by Alfred Bouter

Until what age are children responsible to be subject to their parents? The world has settled on specific ages, which are supposed to be ages of discretion. Generally such rules are just and wise. There are, by these guidelines, a condemning of lawlessness on the one hand and of tyranny on the other, for there is danger in both.

A refined moral sense will go farther than age limits and demand subjection in the child during the time of dependence on the parent for support. Where the love of Christ prevails in the family, the children will not be anxious to shake off parental oversight and counsel. Instead, they will seek, cherish and obey it. Parents, where the love of Christ rules, will not assert authority unduly. Rather, they will seek to carefully develop conscience in their children and leave them free, as soon as they deem it safe, to find their own path before the Lord. —H. B. Coder (adapted from 400 Questions And Answers, Biblecentre.org).