Raising children in the Christian faith and providing them with a Christian education is emphasized throughout the Bible as something of great importance for followers of Christ. There are many reasons why giving children a Christian upbringing and education is vital.
Biblical Command to Raise Children in the Faith
First and foremost, Scripture directly commands parents to raise their children in the training and instruction of the Lord. Passages such as Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Proverbs 22:6, and Ephesians 6:4 all speak to the responsibility of parents to pass on their faith and teach their children about God. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says, “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 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.” Parents are charged to make instruction in the faith a constant part of daily life.
Likewise, Proverbs 22:6 declares, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Bringing up children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord is the Biblical model. Ephesians 6:4 re-emphasizes this, saying: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” God’s Word makes clear that discipleship of children is an essential duty for Christian parents.
Necessary for Spiritual Health and Growth
A Christian upbringing and education is also vital for a child’s own spiritual health and growth. Children need intentional Christian nurturing and teaching to develop a personal relationship with Christ. 2 Timothy 3:15 says that Scripture is able to make one wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Children should be taught the Scriptures from an early age in order to come to saving faith.
In addition, Scripture emphasizes that children need guidance and instruction in righteousness to grow into spiritual maturity (Proverbs 20:11). A Christian education exposes children to Biblical truths about God’s character, the Christian life, and God’s plan of redemption. This biblical framework is essential for spiritual development and for children to learn right doctrine and discernment.
Without intentional Christian discipleship and teaching, a child lacks the understanding and skills needed to thrive spiritually. A Christian upbringing builds the foundation necessary for a child to live out genuine faith as they grow.
Develops Moral Character and Values
Another benefit of a Christian education is that it instills moral character and values in children that will guide them into adulthood. The Bible gives much practical instruction regarding values like integrity, wise living, sexual purity, and excellence. Christian teaching shows children the meaning and purpose behind good character and morality, rather than just behavior modification.
Passages like Psalm 119 show how Scripture enlightens someone on how to live with moral discernment and a heart devoted to God’s commands. A Christian upbringing anchors a child’s development of character and values in Biblical wisdom rather than just worldly philosophies. Even if a child strays later in life, the Christian value system they learned can lead them back to truth.
Strengthens Family Bonds and Relationships
Raising children in the faith also serves to strengthen family relationships and pass on spiritual legacy. The Shema of Deuteronomy 6:4-9 highlights how teaching children to love God aids parents in fulfilling the covenantal purpose of their family. When children observe parents living out faith at home, it reinforces Christian beliefs and identity.
In addition, a family joined in Christ creates a multigenerational bond of shared spiritual heritage. Children see faith modeled in the context of family and communal worship. This provides a powerful examples for children to emulate. A Christian upbringing connects a child to the legacy of ancestors and descendants who share the same commitment to Christ.
Guards Against False and Sinful Influences
Moreover, raising a child with Christian faith and instruction serves as a protection against the false and sinful influences in the world. No one is immune to temptation, deception and the prevailing ungodliness of culture. However, grounding a child in Scripture and Christian community creates resilience against harmful influences.
Psalm 119:9 says, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” The wisdom and counsel of God keeps a child anchored in truth when encountering ideas opposed to the Christian worldview. Paul also warns in Colossians 2:8: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition.” Providing a Christian education helps prevent children from being led astray by the culture’s misguided philosophies.
Overall, the shared beliefs, morality and purpose gained through Christian teaching allows children to stand firm in their faith when pressures mount to conform to the world’s standards and desires. The instruction received guards their hearts against that which would turn them from God.
Affirms Identity in Christ
A Christian upbringing that teaches Bible truths also serves to establish a child’s identity in Christ from an early age. Counter to the world’s view that people must “find themselves”, Scripture showcases how our identity is found in being made new creations through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Christian education grounds children in who God says they are in His redemption and adoption into His family.
Having this Biblical understanding of identity in Christ firmly instilled as children are growing up fortifies them against identity crises when they get older. They gain assurance of who they are in God’s eyes and who He made them to be. A Christian education affirming their identity in Jesus provides an invaluable foundation.
Prepares for Fruitful Adult Ministry
Lastly, raising children in the faith prepares and equips them for fruitful ministry and service as adults. Imparting Christian doctrine, theology, ethics and practices to children from the beginning creates students ready to be leaders, pastors, missionaries, and other ministers of the Gospel. From Timothy in the Bible to modern times, a thorough Biblical education in youth has paved the way for significant ministry impact later on.
Even for those not called into vocational ministry, a Christian upbringing still results in adults better prepared to fulfill the Great Commission and general call to ministry expected of all believers. They mature with knowledge and zeal to live on mission for Christ wherever He places them. The Christian worldview learned from childhood supplies them to participate in God’s redeeming work in the world.
Potential Challenges
While Scripture presents a Christian education as ideal, there are potential challenges that require wise and gracious navigation by parents and Christian educators.
First, parents must aim for balance between instruction and relationship when teaching children about faith. Children are quick to perceive hypocrisy or inconsistency between professed beliefs and actual living. A child’s heart will likely harden to spiritual things if parents strictly enforce Christian standards without loving relationship or grace-based discipleship. Home should still feel like home even as faith is taught.
Another common tension arises when children show indifference or resistance to Christian upbringing. This can be painful for parents who worry about their child walking away from faith later on. However, God’s Word reassures that early foundations influence future choices. Parents must pray and patiently sow seeds of truth, trusting God for the growth. Forcing or coercing faith often backfires; children ultimately must own faith for themselves.
There can also be difficulty in avoiding legalism when giving a Christian education. Instilling moral values in children risks falling into rigid, grace-less enforcement of rules that stifles their relationship with Christ. Parents must remind children that the Christian life flows from salvation, not for it. Education should focus on the heart and motivations, not just behavior.
Overall, providing Christian education certainly requires commitment and spiritual vigilance from parents. But God promises that their efforts to raise faithful children will be rewarded with blessing (Proverbs 20:7). No parent is perfect, but God uses their sincere efforts to impart His truths to shape lives for eternity.
Conclusion
In summary, Scripture places high priority on giving children a Christian education and upbringing. It is a means of passing on faith, protecting against harmful influences, building character, affirming identity in Christ, and preparing for future ministry. Despite potential challenges, a Christian education anchors children in biblical values that guide them their whole life.
Raising children in the training and instruction of the Lord brings joy to parents, benefits children’s spiritual growth, and honors God’s design for the family. The Bible urges Christian parents to persist in this good work despite difficulties. Though the path of each child’s life differs, the Christian foundation built during childhood informs their values and choices well into the future.