 
Illustration. The Child Timothy. "From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation." 2 Tim. 3:15. 1. What should be the prayer of every parent? “O my Lord, ... teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born.” Judges 13:8. Note.—This is a part of the prayer of Manoah, the father of Samson. 2. How should our children be taught? “All thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” Isa. 54:13. 3. What will happen if a child is not properly instructed? “A child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” Prov. 29:15. 4. How did Solomon's parents regard him as a child? “I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.” Prov. 4:3. 5. What does Solomon say his father did for him as a child? “He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words; keep my commandments, and live.” Prov. 4:4. [pg 726]6. From what time does David say he himself was taught? “O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth.” Ps. 71:17. 7. How should all Christian parents bring up their children? “Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Eph. 6:4. 8. How was Moses taught during the days of his early childhood? By faith, under the instruction of a devoted mother. See Heb. 11:23; Ex. 2:1-10. Note.—The hiding of Moses was at the time when Pharaoh, king of Egypt, had issued a decree that every Hebrew male child should be killed as soon as he was born, to prevent too rapid an increase of the Hebrews. The second chapter of Exodus tells the story of the finding of Moses by the king's daughter, and his being brought up by his own mother employed as a nurse. She was a woman of faith, and her teaching of Moses was such that after he had been at the Egyptian court till he “was come to years,” he chose to suffer affliction with God's people rather than to enjoy the honor of succeeding to the throne of Egypt as the adopted heir. He became the leader of God's people when they escaped from the Egyptian bondage, and after he died, he was raised to life and taken to heaven. See Heb. 11:24-26; Jude 9; Matt. 17:1-3. 9. How was Joseph regarded by his father? “Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age.” Gen. 37:3. Note.—The wonderful record of Joseph's life, found in Genesis 37-50, shows that he lived intimately with his father till he was seventeen years of age. He must have been carefully taught of God also, for in all his marvelous experience as slave, prisoner, and premier of Egypt, he remained true to his heavenly Father, not a single sin being recorded of him to the day of his death. 10. How was Esther brought up? “He [Mordecai the Jew] brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter, ... when her father and mother were dead.” Esther 2:7. Note.—Mordecai was a man who feared and served God, as is shown by his wise and courageous counsel to Esther, and by his own Christian conduct when the lives of both were at stake in their efforts to save the people of God from destruction while in captivity in Medo-Persia. He undoubtedly taught Esther from childhood to fear and serve God. Otherwise she would not have met the crisis with such fearless courage and such confidence in God. 11. After she became queen of Persia, how did Esther show her integrity to God? By risking her life to save her own people. [pg 727] 12. How early does Paul say Timothy was instructed? “From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation.” 2 Tim. 3:15. 13. How earnestly should parents teach their children the things of God? “Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children.” “Ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Deut. 6:7; 11:19. 14. What reward in this life is promised the faithful mother? “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” Prov. 31:28. 15. What beautiful picture of home life is drawn by the psalmist for the father who fears the Lord? “Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the side of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.” Ps. 128:3, 4. 16. What motive will inspire all true parents to faithfulness in teaching their children? “That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner-stones, polished after the similitude of a palace.” Ps. 144:12. Note.—We often hear the saying, “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.” This is not out of keeping with the saying of the wise man, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Prov. 22:6. No father or mother knows the future of the little child prattling about the home circle. But God knows, as He did in the cases of Moses and Esther and Timothy. Whether it is His purpose for some of our children to rule the world, as did Joseph and Daniel virtually, as prime ministers; or for some of them to “stand before kings,” as did Moses and Esther and Daniel; or for some of them to serve and suffer for the name of Christ, as did Peter and John and Paul, it is our sacred privilege to teach the children faithfully and diligently during their tender years. [pg 728]
Illustration. Christ Blessing Little Children. "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me." Matt. 19:14. |
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