The Responsibilities of Parents Psalm 127:3-5

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. 5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate. With such great blessings come great responsibilities, before God.

The Responsibilities of Parents Provide for our children Matt. 6:31-32; 1 Tim. 5:8; Titus 2:4-5

Matthew 6:31-32 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Would that our children could have the same confidence in us that we have in the Almighty!

1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Not referring to inability, but unwillingness or indolence.

Titus 2:4-5 (Older women),...that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Mothers need to provide the loving and stable home that a child needs to thrive. (love: philoteknos – fond of one’s children)

The Responsibilities of Parents Provide for our children Matt. 6:31-32; 1 Tim. 5:8; Titus 2:4-5 Teach our children Prov. 22:6; Deut. 6:6-9; Eph. 6:4; 2 Tim. 1:5, 3:15; (Teach respect)

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 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. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

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.

2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15 (1:5), When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. (3:15), And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Mothers can be effective teachers too!

A most important concern ( Teach children to be respectful ) Parents: “Honor your father and mother” (Ephesians 6:1-2) Their Elders: “Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father” (1 Timothy 5:1-2) Those in Authority: “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1) Especially for God: “Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

The Responsibilities of Parents Provide for our children Matt. 6:31-32; 1 Tim. 5:8; Titus 2:4-5 Teach our children Prov. 22:6; Deut. 6:6-9; Eph. 6:4; 2 Tim. 1:5, 3:15; (Teach respect) Set a good example for our children Matt. 5:13-16; Priority Quotes; Matt. 16:26

Matthew 5:13-16 You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Leading by Example 1 Our children will be watching how we act in public. They will learn how to interact socially by watching the way that we talk and act around others. Godly behavior must be consistent inside the home as well as outside of the home. How much of a difference do your children see between “at home” parents and “out in public” parents? (Heath Rogers, Watchman, 2/12)

Leading by Example 2 Children need to see their father loving and cherishing their mother, and their mother loving and honoring their father. They need to see their father and mother reading their Bible, getting their Bible lessons ready, praying, extending hospitality to others, visiting shut-ins, and making trips to visit the sick. All of these examples will give them the foundation and cues that they need to develop a life of service unto Christ and others. (Heath Rogers, Watchman, 2/12)

Leading by Example 3 Children need to see that the Lord’s church is important to their parents. Habitual tardiness and sporadic attendance tells your children that the church is not important. If we allow other events to come before assembling with the saints, our children will learn that family get-togethers, sporting events, studying for exams, club meetings, vacations, hunting trips, shopping trips, etc., are more important than the things that happen when the saints assemble. While there may be exceptions, the general rule is that sporadic attendance on the part of the parents will result in no attendance on the part of their grown children. What does it profit if your children are the best athletes, voted club president, graduate at the top of their class and receive full-ride scholarships, etc., and lose their soul for eternity (Matthew 16:26)? (Heath Rogers, Watchman, 2/12)

Matthew 16:26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

The Responsibilities of Parents Provide for our children Matt. 6:31-32; 1 Tim. 5:8; Titus 2:4-5 Teach our children Prov. 22:6; Deut. 6:6-9; Eph. 6:4; 2 Tim. 1:5, 3:15; (Teach respect) Set a good example for our children Matt. 5:13-16; Priority Quotes; Matt. 16:26 Discipline our children Prov. 19:18; 1 Sam. 3:12-14; Prov. 13:24

Proverbs 19:18 Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction.

1 Samuel 3:12-14 In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them. 14 And therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.

Proverbs 13:24 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.

Conclusion Good parenting will bring delight to fathers and mothers. “Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul” (Proverbs 29:17). But, mistakes made can bring bitter fruit. “A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him” (Proverbs 17:25).