The Gospel Message


Volume 2 	            Lawrence, Kansas            	February 1962	  	       Number 2
Editor and Publisher - Roy Loney


Christian Parenthood
From The Truth


When the rescuers reached the bodies of 18 workers who had perished in the recent Logan, West Virginia, mine disaster, a note was found attached to the safety lamp of one victim. It read,

"Mabel, I love you more than you will ever know. Take care of the kids, and raise them to serve the Lord."
What a great character is here revealed-regardless of how this man may have appeared to the world. He left his widow with a word of personal devotion that will be a source of comfort to her as long as she lives, and he gave her a Christian challenge that she must accept. Of even greater significance, the humble miner challenges every parent: " . . . raise them to serve the Lord." What an awesome responsibility! There is no doubt that wisdom far beyond his own is required in rearing children well. Only by constantly leaning on the Everlasting Arms can the widowed mother or anyone accomplish it. In the Bible we have many examples of parents who reared their children in the faith. The outstanding example is that of Joseph and Mary, the earthly parents of the Lord Jesus. In the second chapter of Luke's gospel we have the only glimpse of his boyhood. At the age of twelve, his parents found him in the temple amazing the teachers with his knowledge and understanding. Apart from his divine nature and knowledge, it would certainly be true that Jesus had been taught and had received the example in his own home. The boy was taken to the house of God with a knowledge of the Word, and a sensitivity to the will of his Heavenly Father. His godly parents, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, had reared him wisely and well. They undoubtedly saw that he received training from the devout rabbis of his day. From the Scripture parents may discern at least four vital facts about rearing their children:
  1. God desires the children of believers. "For the promise is unto you and your children, and to them that are afar off, even as many as the Lord, your God shall call."-Acts 2:39.
  2. God intends the parents themselves should lead their young ones into the kingdom. Note the use of the word lead. Ideally the parent should have the satisfaction of leading his child to Christ personally, but it may also come about by having the child in the right atmosphere… “…tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation"-Joel 1:3.
  3. Christian parents should exercise discipline, but with fairness and love. "And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord"-Ephesians 6:4; see also Colossians 3:21.
  4. God keeps his promises. He unequivocally states. "Train up the child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6. Claim God's promise, and receive it: seek his direction, and watch the results.






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