Can you comment on rearing children?
Introduction. It is good that we have interest in the family. When two people consider marriage, they should soberly reflect on having children and all the entailed responsibilities of child rearing.
Children are a blessing from God. "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord...," wrote one of the Psalmists (Ps. 127: 3). "Happy is the man," he continues, "that hath his quiver full of them..." (vs. 5). Along with the blessing of children, though, there is responsibility.
Some attendant responsibilities enjoined on those who bring children into this world. Two children who have reproductive capabilities can produce a baby, but it takes responsible people to meet the challenges of parenthood. In the first place, a child deserves to have two parents who have committed themselves to one another in marriage (Heb. 13: 4). The mother is to be a "keeper at home" and the father the provider (Tit. 2: 5; I Tim. 5: 8). There certainly can be the "intermingling" of responsibilities (cf. Prov. 31: 10-31). Children have the right to a two parent family atmosphere of love, structure, and order (Eph. 5: 22 - 6: 4). Parents have the duty of providing such an environment!
Spiritual responsibilities of parenthood. There is more to producing and having children that the material requirements. Children must be provided training which can build character. "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Eph. 6: 4). True moral awareness involves God awareness. Man is not a glorified animal; he is created in the image of his God (Gen. 1: 26). As such, man has capabilities and moral responsibilities. Parents must teach their children of their real origin, purpose, and destiny (Eccl. 12: 13).
Children are a blessing from God. "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord...," wrote one of the Psalmists (Ps. 127: 3). "Happy is the man," he continues, "that hath his quiver full of them..." (vs. 5). Along with the blessing of children, though, there is responsibility.
Some attendant responsibilities enjoined on those who bring children into this world. Two children who have reproductive capabilities can produce a baby, but it takes responsible people to meet the challenges of parenthood. In the first place, a child deserves to have two parents who have committed themselves to one another in marriage (Heb. 13: 4). The mother is to be a "keeper at home" and the father the provider (Tit. 2: 5; I Tim. 5: 8). There certainly can be the "intermingling" of responsibilities (cf. Prov. 31: 10-31). Children have the right to a two parent family atmosphere of love, structure, and order (Eph. 5: 22 - 6: 4). Parents have the duty of providing such an environment!
Spiritual responsibilities of parenthood. There is more to producing and having children that the material requirements. Children must be provided training which can build character. "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Eph. 6: 4). True moral awareness involves God awareness. Man is not a glorified animal; he is created in the image of his God (Gen. 1: 26). As such, man has capabilities and moral responsibilities. Parents must teach their children of their real origin, purpose, and destiny (Eccl. 12: 13).