What does the Bible say about parenting? | GotQuestions.org

In today's video I'll answer your question, what does the Bible say about parenting?

Then afterward, as always, I'll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the end.

Procreation is central to God's plan for families and the world, as seen in His command to Adam and

Eve, be fruitful and multiply, Genesis 1 .28, a directive that is repeated to

future generations in Genesis 9 .1.

Expanding on this theme, the Bible declares that children are a blessing from God, thereby making

parenting a sacred responsibility.

To this end, Scripture provides fathers and mothers with moral principles and practical instructions, from

explicit commands to wise guidance for raising their sons and daughters.

God designed parenting to occur in the context of a family, the foundation of which is marriage.

The Bible defines marriage as a lifelong, monogamous covenant between one biological male and

one biological female in Genesis 2 .24 and Mark 10 .7.

Heterosexual marriage not only makes procreation biologically possible, but through the

complementary pairing of a man and woman, children experience the full breadth of the image and

likeness of God that He imprinted on humanity's two genders when He created them.

While God designed parenting to occur within the context of a child's biological family, adverse

circumstances sometimes require the support and care of adoptive parents or legal guardians.

An example of this is seen in the story of Esther.

After her parents died, her uncle Mordecai took her as his own daughter, Esther 2 .7.

In such situations, adults other than a child's biological parents get to experience the blessing of raising

children.

Whatever the makeup of the child's family, biblical parenting starts with modeling faithfulness to

God in a winsome manner to their children.

A father and mother's relationship with God should be so evident that it solicits questions from their children.

With this aim, parents can follow the examples of holy fathers in the Bible, like Joshua, whose devotion

to God characterized his household, and holy mothers like Hannah, whose persistence in prayer

shaped her child's identity and purpose in life.

In addition to parents exemplifying faith in God, the Bible emphasizes the crucial role fathers and mothers

have in directly teaching their children to follow Jesus.

The Bible assigns parents the primary role of discipleship.

This implies that while others, such as Sunday school teachers and youth pastors, can support a child's faith,

God obligates parents to undertake the primary discipleship role in their sons' and daughters' lives.

In practice, discipling children starts with teaching them about God.

Deuteronomy 6, verse 7 commands parents to continuously teach God's words in their home,

"...you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way,

and when you lie down, and when you rise.".

Similarly, in the New Testament, fathers are told to raise their children in the instruction of the Lord,

Ephesians 6, verse 4.

Given that children, like their parents, possess a sinful nature, it's crucial for fathers and mothers to avoid

intentionally provoking their children to sin and to guard against accidentally doing so.

God also assigns parents the task of teaching their children how the Bible applies to life.

Understanding the relevancy of Scripture not only edifies a child's faith but also forms character,

values, priorities, and decisions.

Applying the Bible cultivates integrity, humility, and purity.

Also, as children gain more independence, parents should work to protect their children from making decisions that could have long

-term negative consequences.

Furthermore, disciplining children is pivotal to biblical parenting, and a lack of it negatively impacts a

child's future.

Yet biblical discipline is not merely punitive but formative.

Discipline is designed to refine a child's behavior, mirroring God's loving discipline of His people.

Other aspects at the heart of biblical parenting include emotional nurturing, physical provision, and

keeping children safe.

First, godly parenting is rooted in love, expressed through heartfelt emotions such as compassion.

Second, responsible parents provide essential needs, like food and drink, to their children.

Third, parents are tasked with protecting and defending their children, ensuring their safety.

To carry out the responsibilities God has given them, it is important for fathers and mothers to develop a

fervent prayer life.

While the work of raising children is challenging, with God's help parents can experience the blessing

expressed in Proverbs 22, verse 6,.

"'Train up a child in the way he should go.

Even when he is old, he will not depart from it.'".

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