Articles
Parents, You Are The Teachers
Parents, You Are The Teachers Every congregation with whom I have been associated utilizes Bible classes for all ages among them as a means of preaching the Gospel and edifying the church. Well-ordered and systematic Bible teaching is a must for growing Christians and every family needs Bible instruction. No one doubts these congregational efforts CAN be a blessing to the church. Without attention and dedication, however, these classes can also be a waste of time and resources. A congregation’s Bible classes are only as beneficial as we intend for them to be. They are a cooperative effort between teachers, parents and students. Everyone has a role to play in the success of these efforts, and all share responsibility for the success or failure of such arrangements. It is concerning, however, when parents see the church’s Bible classes as the sum total of Bible instruction our children receive. The Bible is clear that parents are to teach their own children about the faith. Particularly, fathers are commanded concerning their children to “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Eunice and Lois, mother and grandmother of Timothy taught him “from childhood … the sacred writings” (2 Tim. 3:15). Timothy’s faith first dwelt in these women (2 Tim. 1:5) and he obediently received their instruction. Parental involvement and ownership of instruction in our children’s faith is the Scriptural standard. This responsibility cannot be shifted to anyone else— not even to the church. If we parents depend only on the congregation’s Bible classes to teach our children, we are falling short of what is needed by our kids and expected by our God. Think about it. Twice-weekly church Bible classes are about an hour and a half of instruction in matters of the faith. Is that an adequate amount of time for spiritual learning? School Math and English classes receive far more time each week. Rather than seeing Bible classes at church as the main spiritual instruction experience for our kids, we should see them as supplemental to what our children need to know about God and His Word. These congregational classes are merely an aid to parents (and by extension to the church as a whole) in passing the faith to the next generation. Coupled with sermons, Bible readings, prayers, hymn singing and personal conversations — our children need all the exposure to the Word of the Lord they can receive. The work we do with children in the church can never replace what fathers or mothers must do at home. - by Mark W. White
