1) The State Is Not In Ephesians 6:4 — Educational institutions cannot be counted on, especially for moral teaching. In fact, you had better be watchful, because some schools may even promote the exact opposite of your values. Your child might be encouraged to reject God as the Creator, reject the counsel of Scripture and explore their sexuality, even to the extent of homosexual conduct. Keeping a “pulse” on your child’s education is more important now than ever.
2) The Local Church Is Not In Ephesians 6:4 — As important as local churches can be in assisting parents in this great responsibility, God never instructed a group of Christians to raise my children to know the Lord. He instead charges every father with that responsibility! How many examples could be cited of children who sat in Bible classes Sunday after Sunday and Wednesday after Wednesday who no longer serve the Lord? And of those examples, what percentage do you suppose received very little teaching in the home? How many of them heard very little positive being said about the brethren or about serving them? How many prayers were prayed besides mealtimes, if even then?
3) The Mother Is Not In Ephesians 6:4 — Certainly, the mother can be an invaluable asset in rearing children to know the Lord. Timothy’s mother and grandmother serve as a great example (2 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:14-17). If the father does not fulfill his God-given responsibility, then a mother who cares about the souls of her children must shoulder the responsibility. But our passage calls for leadership from the husband! He may employ the assistance of his helper, his godly wife, but the responsibility is his nonetheless.
Does a perception exist that Bible study is not manly? Do some think “That’s woman’s work”? The example of Jesus, the ultimate Man, dispels such a notion. Fathers, step up to the plate! Read the Bible with your kids. Present its treasures to them as just that a treasure-trove full of wisdom. Speak specifically of application. Warn them of potential dangers. Explain your trust in and love for God. Pray with them. Teach them to pray. Display contentment. Do not murmur. Rejoice! Paint a clear biblical portrait of real manhood and womanhood (Psalm 112: Proverbs 31:10-31).
Show them a loving, honoring, self-sacrificing relationship between husband and wife. Let them know that what you want for them more than anything, and I do mean anything, is for them to become Christians and to go to heaven when they die. Once they have obeyed the gospel of the Lord Jesus, further admonish them to live obediently, genuinely as Christians and to be an upstanding example for others to imitate.
Dear reader, what is the focus of your home? Dare you ask your children for the answer to that question! You might want to think about doing so for the sake of their souls’ salvation and your own. These most precious souls need instruction in “the good and the right way” before it is too late (1 Samuel 12:23; cf. Proverbs 3:1-4; Proverbs 4:10-13).
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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