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Part 3 - An Introduction into the ethics of the apostle (Ephesians 4:1 – 6:20)
How can parents today live in peace with their children? (Ephesians 6:1-4)
Ephesians 6:01-04
6:1 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise: `that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.` And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:1-4).
Frequently until their eighth or even their twelfth year of life, children are, more or less, obedient to their parents. In these years they are still trusting, searching for security, and happy to live within the spiritual realm of their families. During this time a mother should teach her children many prayers and children´s songs that will impress and fill the soul and subconscious of these young ones. Paul wrote in his letter of children “in the Lord”, meaning children who love Jesus and who have entrusted their lives to Him. Perhaps you know prayers such as the one we recite in German:
I am small make my heart pure, for no one should dwell therein, save the dear Savior alone.
What modern television teaches you, to be sure, does not mediate for peace, but rather, is something that instils fear, is carried out with violence and practiced without God. The nonsense modern authors dish out is more “modern” than it is constructive. And what the children learn in their kindergartens or elementary schools depends, to a large extent, on the spirit of the teachers that instruct them.
When children enter into their developmental years, there already stands a detachment of devils ready to seduce and mislead them. The modern economic system, with its magnificently illustrated advertisement campaign for children, knows well how to inspire them. The whole system tells them what they absolutely must have. Drilled instructors skilfully develop in them their independence, as well as their rebellion and self-willed obstinacy. A sexual enlightenment not only paints before their eyes naked pictures of entire families, but also explains to them, with graph-lined diagrams, the build up and culmination of an orgasm in women and girls. Silence no longer surrounds condoms and contraceptives; instead, instructions for their use are given. Furthermore, in some classes they even learn and memorize the faith declaration of Muslims, along with its Arabic pronunciation. Perhaps those giving the instruction do not know that the twice repeating of this Islamic foundational creed constitutes legal entry into Islam. Then others teach that the world came about through a big bang and that in the developmental line of humans monkeys are to be found. When youth are together among themselves, it need be no wonder that they speak a different language than they do with their parents at home. Some pastors no longer feel obligated to explain the three Lutheran fundamental articles of faith, from the small book of confirmation, or see that these are memorized, together with accompanying verses and song. They recommend the young candidates for confirmation come up with their own declaration of faith, and not to blindly trust the Bible or their parents.
Therefore, parents should timely and humorously practice with their children the turning on and off of the television. It would also be good for them to look through the biology and natural science school books of their children, and then explain to them the Biblical texts that show the opposite. A sexual clarification in a Biblical sense is indispensable, and the sending of the maturing children to appropriate Christian youth groups has become imperative. The prayer for children who will think independently and who can withstand peer pressure, becomes more important even than their school instruction and their teacher´s leading. Often summer camps or winter ski trips, together with experienced youth leaders, can offer spiritual help. However, the praying faith of the parents and their example stamp and influence the young Protestants more than they know. We recommend none of them be forced to attend a church or a Bible study, but rather, that they be prayerfully accompanied along their way.
Paul explicitly laid out the Ten-Commandment directive for children to honor their parents because these principle words of the Bible are accompanied by a promise - one that is also interesting for youth. The living Lord assured them of His blessing when they honor their parents. Not just the father, but also the mother should be honored, supported, and, in the event she becomes fragile with age, be accompanied. That maintains the health and the peace in the new families that the children have founded. Perhaps the parents also taught their children the value of full-corn nutrition along the way, so that they, as far as possible, avoid refined carbohydrates, even while taking in vitamin rich foods.
When a child, in competition with fellow classmates, is not among the first and the best, there arises in him, slowly but surely, an inferiority complex. In this event one should go about furthering his special abilities, while explaining that the minus marks on the grade card are not important. One can then ask the Lord Jesus to especially bless the young and the suffering, in accordance with His promise (Matt. 11:25-30). The gifted among the children stand in a still greater danger, since they unconsciously may think they can conquer the world in short order. They need the humility of Jesus more than those who suffer inadequacy and are depressed.
When the children have plans for their future different than what their parents wish for them, one should not simply erase and forbid their wishes. Rather, the ways the parents recommend for their children should be carefully explained and shown to be attractive. Wherever possible, angry reactions should be avoided, and patience, during their home training, should continually be present. Nowadays many a young adult will complete a course of instruction, only to work at something totally different later on. A solid system of trade or craft guilds has long passed, or is at least in the slow process of disappearing. What catches the eye are often the fast new developments. These sometimes end in disaster, although they can, from time to time, also lead to success. Here our intercession needs to quietly accompany the rising young generation, so that they do not go their own ways in choice of occupation, marriage and faith convictions, but rather that they learn to live from the blessing of their Lord and Savior. In any case, the old German proverb is once again confirmed:
Small children, small problems, big children, big problems!
Yet the word of the Lord proves itself more truthful and fulfils itself:
“Commit your way to the Lord,Trust also in Him. And He shall bring it to pass. Rest in the Lord. And wait patiently for Him; Cease from anger, and forsake wrath But those who wait on the Lord. They shall inherit the earth.” (Ps. 37: 5, 7-9)
Prayer: Father in heaven, You are the true and right Father over all those that are called children in heaven and on earth. We thank You for the children You have entrusted to us and those who are yet to come. We bring them back to You in faith and in thanksgiving, for in the evil and wicked time in which we are living we know not how we can rightly bring them up. Please draw them into Your heavenly family, that they might go on to offer praise and worship for Your glorious grace. Amen.
Questions:
- Why has raising children become so difficult in our day and age?
- What are some good ways in which to lead children and youth to Jesus?