Children
Includes pregnancy, the “right to life”, childbirth, raising & training children
1. PREGNANCY:
A. Children are a blessing from God:
Psa.127:3 – Children are an heritage of the Lord: & the fruit of the womb is His reward
Gen.49:25 – God…shall bless thee with blessings of…the womb
Psa.113:9 – He maketh the barren woman to keep house, & to be a joyful mother of children
Psa.127:4,5 – As arrows…so are children…Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them
Psa.128:1,3 – Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine
Pro.17:6 – Children’s children are the crown of old men
1Tim.5:14 – I will therefore that…women marry, bear children
(See also Gen.30:1; Deut.33:24; 1Sam.1:1-18; Lk.1:42.)
B. People do their part, but conception is still God’s doing:
Gen.25:21 – Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren…& Rebekah his wife conceived
Gen.30:22,23 – God remembered Rachel…& opened her womb. And she conceived, & bare a son
1Sam.1:27 – For this child I prayed; & the Lord hath given me
Heb.2:13 – Behold I & the children which God hath given me
Lk.1:7,13 – Thy prayer is heard; & thy wife…shall bear thee a son
(See also Gen.29:31; 33:5; Judg.13:3; Psa.115:14.)
C. God is the One Who blesses women with pregnancy:
Gen.4:1 – Adam knew Eve…& she conceived, & bare Cain, & said, I have gotten a man from the Lord
Gen.4:25 – Adam knew his wife again; & she bare a son…God, said she, hath appointed me another seed
Ruth 4:13 – When (Boaz) went in unto (Ruth), the Lord gave her conception, & she bare a son
(See also 1Sam.1:19,20)
D. It is God Who keeps some women from having children:
1Sam.1:5 – But the Lord had shut up (Hannah’s) womb
(See also Gen.30:1,2)
E. In the Bible, it was considered a reproach not to have children:
(See Gen.20:17,18; 2Sam.6:23; Jer.22:30.)
2. THE LORD’S HAND ON CHILDREN BEFORE BIRTH:
A. God forms children in the womb:
Job 31:15 – Did not He that made me in the womb make him? And did not One fashion us in the womb?
Job 33:4 – The Spirit of God hath made me, &…given me life
Psa.71:5,6 – By Thee I have been holden up from the womb
Psa.139:14-16 – I am wonderfully made…in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned
(See also Isa.44:24a)
B. It is God Who gives life & a soul to unborn children:
Job 33:4 – The breath of the Almighty hath given me life
Gen.2:7 – God…breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; & man became a living soul
Acts 17:25b – He giveth to all life, & breath
C. His care of children in the womb:
Psa.139:13 – Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb
Isa.40:11 – He…shall gently lead those that are with young
D. God loves & knows children, even before birth:
Psa.22:10 – I was cast upon Thee from the womb: Thou art my God from my mother’s belly
Isa.49:1 – The Lord hath called me from the womb; from the (womb) hath He made mention of my name
Jer.1:5 – Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; before thou camest out of the womb I sanctified thee
Lk.1:13 – [Angel said:] Thy wife…shall bear thee a son, & thou shalt call his name John
3. THE BIBLE ON “THE RIGHT TO LIFE”:
A. Abortion is murder & infanticide:
Psa.106:38 – Shed innocent blood…of their sons & daughters
Deut.27:25 – Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent
Jer.2:34,35 – In thy skirts is found the blood…of poor innocents
Acts 7:19 – They cast out their young (literally: “newly-born or un born”) children, to the end they might not live
2Tim.3:1-3 – In the last days…men [& women] shall be lovers of their selves…without natural affection (love)
B. Don’t worry about overpopulating the earth:
Gen.1:28 – Be fruitful, & multiply, & replenish the earth
Jam.5:8b – For the coming of the Lord draweth nigh
C. God promises to take care of believers’ children:
Psa.37:25 – I have been young & now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread
Pro.11:21b – The seed of the righteous shall be delivered
Isa.65:23b – They are the seed of the blessed…& their offspring
(See also Psa.25:12,13; 102:28; 112:1,2; Pro.14:26; Phi.4:19.)
4. CHILDBIRTH:
A. God’s people often blessed with easy childbirth:
Exo.1:19 – The Hebrew women are…lively, & are delivered ere (before) the midwives come
Isa.66:7 – Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a child
B. God can help in the delivery:
Psa.22:9a – Thou art He that took me out of the womb
Psa.71:6 – Thou art He that took me out of my mother’s bowels
Isa.46:3 – (They) are borne by Me from the belly…from the womb
C. Promises to claim during long labour:
Isa.65:23 – They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed
Isa.66:9 – Shall I bring to the birth, & not cause to bring forth? shall I cause to bring forth, & shut the womb?
Jn.16:21 – As soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born
Heb.11:11 – Through faith Sara…was delivered of a child…because she judged Him faithful Who had promised
D. Promises for strength:
Isa.40:29-31 – He giveth power to the faint; & to them that have no might He increaseth strength…renew their strength
Isa.41:10 – Be not dismayed…I will strengthen thee
E. Conditions for claiming God’s promises:
Dan.6:16b – God Whom thou servest continually, will deliver thee
1Tim.2:15 – She shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith & charity (love)
5. TEACHING & TRAINING YOUR CHILDREN:
Judg.13:8 – Teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born
A. God’s care of young children:
Mat.18:10 – In Heaven their angels always behold the face of (God)
1Cor.7:14 – [Even if only one parent is a believer, the children are sanctified by God]
B. Their early training will guide them all through life:
Pro.22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go: & when he is old, he will not depart from it
C. Give the care & training of your children priority:
Mk.7:27 – Let the children first be filled
3Jn.4 – I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth
D. If you neglect them for other things, you’ll both suffer:
Pro.29:15b – A child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame
1Ki.20:40a – As (I) was busy (with other things) here & there, he was gone (See also Mat.23:23b)
E. You should teach your children the Word:
Deut.6:6,7 – These Words…teach them diligently unto thy children
Deut.11:18-20 – Lay up these My Words in your heart & in your soul…& teach them (to) your children
Isa.38:19b – The father to the children shall make known Thy truth
Joel 1:3 – Tell ye your children…& let your children tell their children, & their children another generation
Jn.21:15 – Lovest thou Me more than these? Feed My lambs
2Tim.3:15 – From a child (infancy) thou hast known the Scriptures
(See also Deut.31:12,13; Psa.78:1-6; 1Jn.2:13.)
F. Teach your children to trust in God:
Psa.22:9b – Thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts
Psa.34:11 – Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear (reverence) of the Lord
Psa.78:6,7 – Declare them to [your] children: that they might set their hope in God
Acts 2:39 – For the promise is unto you, & to your children
Heb.2:13 – I will put my trust in Him…I & the children
G. Lead them to receive Jesus:
Mk.10:14 – Suffer (allow) the little children to come unto Me
Gal.4:19 – My little children, of whom I travail in birth…until Christ be formed in you
1Jn.2:12 – I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake
H. God’s Word teaches them how to have eternal life:
Jn.5:39 – Search the Scriptures; in them…ye have eternal life
2Tim.3:15 – Scriptures…are able to make thee wise unto salvation
I. Only God can teach life’s most important lessons:
Psa.25:5 – Lead me in Thy truth, & teach me: for Thou art…God
Pro.8:32,33 – Hearken unto Me, O ye children…keep My ways. Hear instruction, & be wise, & refuse it not
Isa.54:13 – All thy children shall be taught of the Lord; & great shall be peace of thy children (See also Jn.6:45)
1Cor.2:13 – We speak…words…which the Holy Ghost teacheth
J. Children worshipping with their parents:
Josh.8:35 – ["Little ones" listen to Bible reading with parents]
2Chr.20:13 – [Children included in serious prayer meeting]
(See also Joel 2:12,15,16)
6. CHILDREN’S OBEDIENCE & DISOBEDIENCE:
A. Children are to obey their parents:
Pro.1:8,9 – My son, hear the instruction of thy father, &…mother
Eph.6:1 – Children, obey your parents in the Lord: this is right
Col.3:20 – Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord
B. Children are to honour & reverence their parents:
Exo.20:12 – Honour thy father & mother: that thy days may be long
Lev.19:3 – Ye shall fear every man his mother, & his father
Eph.6:2 – Honour thy father & mother; [this] is the first commandment with promise
(See also Pro.20:20; 23:22.)
C. The blessing of having obedient, wise children:
Pro.10:1a – A wise son maketh a glad father
Pro.13:1a – A wise son heareth his father’s instruction
Pro.23:15,16 – Son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice
Pro.23:24,25 – He that begetteth a wise child shall have joy
Pro.28:7 – Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son
3Jn.4 – I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth (See also 2Jn.4)
D. The grief of having disobedient, foolish children:
Pro.17:21 – The father of a fool hath no joy
Pro.17:25 – A foolish son is a grief to his father, & bitterness to her that bare him (his mother)
Pro.19:13 – A foolish son is the calamity of his father
Pro.10:1b – A foolish son is the heaviness of his mother
7. LOVING INSTRUCTION BALANCED WITH FIRM DISCIPLINE:
A. Treat your children gently & in love:
Lk.1:17 – He shall…turn hearts of the fathers to the children
Eph.6:4a – Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath
Col.3:21 – Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged
1Thes.2:7 – We were gentle…as a nurse cherisheth her children
Tit.2:4 – Teach the young women…to love their childen
B. Patience, mercy & truth are the most effective:
Eph.6:4b – Bring them up in the nurture & admonition of the Lord
1Thes.2:11 – We exhorted & comforted & charged (testified to) every one of you, as a father doth his children
Rom.2:4 – The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance
Pro.16:6 – By mercy & truth iniquity is purged
C. Each child is different; seek God how to train & discipline:
Judg.13:12 – How shall we order the child, & how shall we do?
(See also Lk.12:47,48)
D. The Scriptural admonition to chastise naughty children:
Pro.13:24 – He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes (promptly)
Pro.19:18 – Chasten thy son while there is hope, & let not thy soul spare for his crying
Pro.22:15 – Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him
Pro.23:13 – Withhold not correction from the child
Pro.29:17 – Correct thy son, & he shall give thee rest…delight
E. Responsible Christians required to restrain their children:
1Tim.3:4 – That ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity
1Tim.3:12b – Ruling their children & their own houses well
Tit.1:6 – Blameless…having faithful children not…unruly
(See also Gal.4:1,2)
F. When children are not corrected or restrained:
1Sam.2:22-25, I will judge his house…because his (Eli’s) sons made
3:13 – themselves vile, & he restrained them not
1Ki.1:1,5,6 – His father had not displeased him at any time…saying, “Why hast thou done so?” (See also vs. 16-21)
Pro.29:15b – A child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame
Lk.15:12,13 – [Father of the prodigal son gave him his share, & the son then went off & wasted it with riotous living]
G. Such a lack of discipline means a lack of fearing God:
1Sam.2:29,30 – Wherefore kick ye at…Mine offering…& honourest thy sons above Me? (See the reason in 1Sam.2:12-17)
H. Even with right training, some children will go wrong:
1Sam.8:1-3,5a – [Righteous Samuel's sons became corrupt & covetous]
Mk.13:12,13 – [In the last days, some backslidden children will betray their Christian parents See also Mat.24:10]
(See also Pro.2:16-18)
I. Partiality & favouritism cause problems:
Gen.25:27,28 – Isaac loved Esau…but Rebekah loved Jacob [& helped Jacob deceive old father Isaac Gen.27:1-18]
Gen.37:3,4 – Israel loved Joseph more than all his children…when his brethren saw (it), they hated him
8. THE GROWING YEARS:
A. Be considerate of children’s limitations:
Gen.33:12-14 – The children are tender (young)…I will lead on softly according as the…children be able to endure
B. Growing up & maturing:
Isa.28:9 – Whom shall he teach knowledge? And…make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned
Heb.5:14 – Strong meat (doctrine) belongeth to them…of full age
C. Becoming a teen, a young adult:
1Cor.13:11 – When I became a man, I put away childish things
Eph.4:14a – That we henceforth be no more children
1Cor.14:20 – Be not children in understanding: in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men (mature)
D. Teen years: A time of dedication & commitment:
2Chr.34:1-7 – [Josiah, when 16 years old, sought God in earn est, dedicated his life to Him & zealously served Him]
Eccl.12:1 – Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth
1Tim.4:12 – Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in conversation, charity, faith
9. CHILDREN IN GOD’S SERVICE:
A. Babies & small children touch unbelievers’ hearts:
Exo.2:1-6,10 – [Pharaoh's daughter was touched by baby Moses, & she disobeyed Pharaoh's order & saved him Exo.1:22]
B. Examples of young children serving God:
1Sam.2:11,18 – Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child
Exo.2:1-8 – [Miriam, as a young child, watched out for her baby brother, Moses]
2Ki.5:1-4 – [The "little maid" witnesses to her heathen master about God's power See also vs. 14,15a,17]
Dan.1:17-20 – [The four Hebrew children, full of God's wisdom, counselled king Nebuchadnezzar]
C. Examples of older children & young teens serving God:
Jer.1:4-9 – [Teenage Jeremiah called to proclaim God's Words]
1Sam.16:1,10-13 – [David anointed to be king when just a teen] (See also 16:14-23; 17:32-37,49.)
Acts 23:12-24 – [The apostle Paul's teenage nephew saves his life]
D. Young men serving God in positions of responsibility:
Acts 16:1-3a – [Paul chose young Timothy to be his helper & travelling companion] (See 1Tim.4:12a)
E. If trained right, children will be a great blessing:
Psa.127:4,5 – As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children…they shall speak (contend) with the enemies
Isa.8:18 – I & the children…are for signs & for wonders
Mat.18:5 – Whoso shall receive one such little child in My name receiveth Me (See also Mk.9:36,37)
F. God’s Spirit can even use small children to lead:
Isa.11:6b – A little child shall lead them
G. Children proclaiming God’s praise:
Mat.21:15,16 – The children crying (out)…& saying, Hosanna! Out of the mouth of babes Thou hast perfected praise
Neh.12:43 – God made them rejoice…the children (also) rejoiced
Psa.148:12,13 – Children: Let them praise the name of the Lord
H. Dedicating your children to God’s service:
1Sam.1:28 – I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord
10. BECOMING LIKE CHILDREN:
A. You must have the faith of a child to be saved:
Mat.18:3 – Except ye be converted, & become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven
Mat.18:4 – Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child…is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
Mk.10:15 – Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein
B. In relation to God, we are children:
Deut.8:5 – As a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee
1Ki.3:7 – [King Solomon told God:] I am but a little child
Psa.103:13 – Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him
Eph.5:1 – Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children
(See also Isa.63:15,16; Mal.3:17; Gal.4:3-7.)
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