Scripture Reading: Titus 2:1-8
Memory Verse: “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Introduction:
Consider this question: “How do you train your children with the Word of God and your example?”
For many Christians this is a difficult (nearly impossible) question to respond to. Perhaps this is because the training of our children is by hit-and-miss, rather than by utilizing the pattern God established for us to use.
As parents, we are responsible to “train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). The most important method of training we can use is that of a role model. We should be an example to our children of what a true Christian is and does.
Children begin to understand the love of God as they see it demonstrated by their parents. Their love towards God is to be a response to the godly love they receive from their parents.
When children see a godly father showering praise and affection on his wife, they are getting a glimpse of the relationship Christ has with His bride, the church. By our example (daily Bible reading and prayer), we can show our children how to stay in constant communication with God. By a strong Christ-like image, we can teach our children patience, kindness, joy, meekness, temperance, faith, (in fact all the fruit of the Spirit!), but most of all we can teach them about love – God’s love.
Lesson Questions:
- What are our children supposed to mean to us? Genesis 33:5; Psalm 127:3-5.
- What should we teach our children? Deuteronomy 6:6-7; 4:9; Isaiah 28:9.
- For what reason should we teach our children? Deuteronomy 11:18-21; Proverbs 22:6.
- How does the Bible describe rebellious children? Deuteronomy 21:20; Proverbs 30:11; Micah 7:6, 2 Timothy 3:2.
- Why are so many children this way? 1 Samuel 3:13; 8:3; Proverbs 29:15; Jeremiah 9:14.
- How can we teach children respect? Deuteronomy 5:16, 29; Ephesians 6:4.
- What are some characteristics that we can be examples of? 1 Timothy 3:4-5; Titus 2:2-4, 7.
- What was Jesus’ attitude toward spending time with the children? Mark 9:36-37; 10:13-16; Matthew 18:2-5.