In the Old Testament, the Israelites were instructed to raise their children in the word of the Lord. They were to perform the instruction with diligence and at all times…when they would set, walk, talk, and it was the first thing that they were to do in the morning and the last thing they did at night. God than promised them long life and in other verses God promised that they would prosper.
This promise was made for Father, son, and grandson (you and your son and your son’s son).
Deut6.2 that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long.
Deut6.7 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.
These were instructions that were given to the Israelites, but Paul tells us that we are to use the Old Testament teachings for our example. Furthermore these instructions have been repeated in the New Testament along with a repetition of the same promises.
Eph6.1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
It is fathers that are responsible for teaching children the Bible. God gives these promises to fathers and to receive these promises we as fathers must be diligent in our teaching. It is neither the school nor the church that received any of these promises.
Published on Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 7:08 AM CDT