God’s mouthpiece for revealing divine truth throughout history has been not the clergy and the academics but Mom and Pop. Humble people mostly without a higher education. Their only tools were reverence for God and the Word in their hearts. Without fancy computer tools, a knowledge of the original languages or little letters before or after their name it is our parents that God has entrusted to convey his commandments to the next generation. I’ve learned more about God from my Dad than from any Pastor or Professor. Mom has lived out the reality of the Gospel better than any Sunday School program. Not because they were perfect people but because I could see God’s Spirit working in their lives.
Academics, clergy and the organizations they represent have their place in the church of God. But the essential expression of God’s kingdom is not a kingdom at all. Or a corporation. At it’s core it is the family. God is called not Our Pastor, but Our Father. We who name Jesus as our Lord form part of the same extended family and call one another brother and sister. Families are messy, noisy and dysfunctional but they are the number one place where the fruits of the Spirit conquer the deeds of the flesh.
I as a father can not capitulate to the forces that tell me that I am inadequate to the task of giving spiritual instruction to my children. Church programs may be slicker. The pastor is better educated than I am. But the responsibility for my children’s spiritual upbringing is firmly in my hands. And a mother must do the same. Despite the crush of responsibilities. Despite the feelings of inadequacy. Her children will learn to love Jesus because she shows them the love of Jesus.
Here are some passages from the Bible that show that Biblical instruction is essentially a family activity:
- These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, NIV)
- But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15, NIV)
- Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Buy the truth and do not sell it;
get wisdom, discipline and understanding. (Proverbs 23:22-23, NIV) - Parents, don’t be hard on your children. Raise them properly. Teach them and instruct them about the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4, CEV)
- I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. (2 Timothy 1:5, NIV)
- and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:15, NIV)
While my previous posts on this topic have been directed to fellow academics like myself, this post is for you, Mom and Dad. And for all of us who as parents face the awesome task of declaring God’s power to the next generation.
Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, O God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your might to all who are to come. (Psalm 71:18, NIV)
Other posts in this series: Greek, Hebrew and the Joy of S-x, Freaks don’t want no Greek, How big is your brain?
As a college instructor, I can amen your statement that parents are God’s primary tools for spreading his truth. Statistically, according to the Barna Group, “Nearly half (43%) of all Americans who accept Jesus Christ as their savior do so before reaching the age of 13″ (2004). That means that parents are the ones largely responsible for introducing people to Christ, not pastors, not professors.
It’s humbling, isn’t it?
Thank you for this encouragement.
Amy, I don’t dispute your evidence, nor the conclusion you draw from it, but only your logic, which seems to discount the important role of many church children’s and youth workers in introducing young people to Christ.
[...] just happened to notice that Not Pastor and Professor but Mom and Dad was my 400th blog post on Lingamish since December [...]
I think it’s fair to say it’s not really an either/or situation in many places.
Youth workers are there to support the efforts of parents. So calls like this are challenges to communicate more with parents and encourage them.
And calls like this are a polite kick in the pants for parents who are lazy about their role in caring for their children.
Thanks, son, for the encouraging words. I have been asked ” what did you do to raise such good kids?” I don’t really have a good answer, but I just expected all five of you to do the right thing. If you didn’t , we would deal with it . We expected you to go to church, and the influence of pastors and teachers and and the rest of the congragation helped your parents to shape your character. We all tried to live lives that would be pleasing to God and by our example you did the right thing.
Now that you kids have families of your own, I see you being the Godly examples that they need to “do the right thing.”
“All things ( parents, teachers, pastors, The Holy Spirit, good liturature, music, etc. ) work together to raise the next generation to serve God.” I am thankful to be a part of the process.
DAD
I would have to agree that family is God’s primary tool for sharing his Gospel, but what I have to wonder is why we send guys with little letters after or before or above or below their names into the ministry? We need more families on the mission field, more families in our pulpits, more families in all aspects of ministry.
Parke wrote:
Youth workers are there to support the efforts of parents.
Not in my church, where the youth workers are concerned largely with trying to reach children and youth whose parents are making no attempt to lead them to Christ, or often even to bring them up properly.
If the church only tries to reach the children of Christians, then it has already given up on the task of winning the world and is simply trying to slow its own generation by generation decline.
Thank you for the kind words in this blog, David. No-one knows better than our children! I am so thankful to you both for your part in encouraging me to draw closer again to the Lord, and I see daily miracles and am blessed to have had the trials in my life that God has used to open my heart, my eyes and my ears to be an instrument of his love and healing. I am so amazed by you David and how God has and is using you – and your willingness to be where you are, doing the difficult and often frustrating work that you do. I now take this responsiblity seriously with my grandchildren – but thanks to the grace and love of God – it just comes naturally. Love, Mom
Oops! I realized I left out a sentence – it was supposed to say, something about how aware I am of my flaws and that no-one knows better than you and your sister. Anyway, something like that. I must get more sleep at night!
Love ya, Mom.
This post is great, especially the first two paragraphs. In fact, I am going to feature it on my blog soon.