Text: Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Yesterday’s passage teaches about the importance of the “negative” side of discipline. Today we will consider the “positive” side. (Of course, both sides are necessary for positive results.) Children are to be raised under the instruction of God’s Word. Look again at the passage and note the several ways God’s Word is to be brought into family[…]

Text: Proverbs 22:1-16. When the Bible speaks about foolishness, it does not mean being silly. Folly is about a person who has no interest in the things of God, and his life manifests that heart condition (Psalm 14:1). The verse for today teaches us that children are full of foolishness! Scripture does, however, instruct us that consistent,[…]

Text: Deuteronomy 21:18-21. This passage might seem cruel and barbaric, but it is intended to show the seriousness of disobedience to parents and to show that sin is not permitted the Kingdom of God. The son being executed is not a small child but is probably a young adult, living with his parents in their home, and showing a[…]

Text: Ephesians 6:1-4. Scripture calls upon children to obey their parents, to honour them, and to submit to their authority. For children who are a few years away from adulthood, this command might seem “childish”, but interestingly, in Romans 1:28-31, in the midst of a long list of horrible sins, the apostle Paul includes, “disobedient to parents” (Rom.1:30). This[…]

Text: Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:16. To honour a person, you give them respect, treat them as better than yourself, and give obedience, when appropriate. Children are to have this kind of attitude toward their parents at all times, not only when parents are watching, but especially when parents are not in sight. God is always present, always watching, and[…]

Text: Ephesians 2:11-22. Human families are extremely important, but not more important than the family of God. God is our Father, and we Christians are brothers and sisters in Christ, related because of what Jesus accomplished for us (His life, death, and resurrection), and because we are united to Jesus by faith. Just as we[…]

Text: Joshua 2:1-14. A proper family unit is not limited to the “nuclear” family of parents and children. In today’s passage, we read that there are other appropriate variations, including extensions by blood relations (grandparents, uncles, etc.), by adoption, and by some other ways. Polygamy (though found in Scripture), “same-sex marriage” into which children are[…]

Text: Genesis 1:26-31. In this passage, we are given more instructions about God’s design for the family, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth …” Since that time, family has always been defined as comprising of a man and a woman who are united to each other in a life-long covenant (marriage), from which[…]