What parent doesn’t want a great education for his or her child? All fathers and mothers desire to see their sons and daughters grow in knowledge and wisdom.
Second Timothy 3:15 is a short verse of only 20 words, yet it brims with truth about teaching children. Paul writes to Timothy, his son “in the faith”, and gives five ways parents must teach their children.
And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ.
This brief verse answers five questions. When should we teach our children? What should we teach our children? How should we teach our children? Why should we teach our children? Who should teach our children?
Teach them when they are small
Children often bother adults. We murder them in the womb because they’re too expensive. The modern family is smaller than yesteryear because children apparently take too much work.
We see a similar mindset in Jesus’ day. The people brought their children to Jesus for His prayers. Matthew (19:13) and Mark (10:13) say they brought children, while Luke (18:15) says they brought infants. The parents brought babies and toddlers to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. The disciples didn’t like this. In Jesus’ day, children were the weakest and most insignificant people in society.
But Jesus’ attitude was different, saying: “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God” (Mt. 19:14). Jesus did not care only for adults but also for little children.
Children are a gift from God. “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Ps. 127:3). God gives children the ability to learn quickly. The best time to learn a language is when the child is small. We all know the phrase: “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” It is difficult to learn new things later in life. This is why Paul commends Timothy for learning wisdom while in his youth.
Teach them the Bible
It is not enough to teach a child, for what good does it do him if you only fill his mind with evil things? I recently saw a surveillance video of a mother distracting an adult while her children stole her handbag. She taught her children. She taught them wickedness.
From childhood, Timothy was not just instructed in anything. He was taught the Scriptures. There is no book like the Bible because it is inerrant (free from error) and infallible (free from the possibility of error).
I have forgotten much of my childhood but I cannot fail to recall the hundreds of verses my parents made me memorize. I have little recollection of my boyhood birthday gifts, family vacations and school activities, but I can remember whole chapters at a snap.
Teach them continually
The Tsonga Bible literally says, “From childhood you have become used to the Holy Scriptures.” I like that translation because it shows that the teaching in Timothy’s home was a frequent event.
A child’s education in Scripture does not end when they leave their Christian school for the day. His learning should not finish for the week as he walks out of Sunday School. Teaching must continue day after day.
Deuteronomy 6:7 tells parents to teach the Scriptures diligently to their children in the house, by the way, when they lie down and when they rise. In modern terms, this means while traveling in the car to school, while swimming laps in the pool and while pouring cereal at the breakfast table.
Practically, parents should catechize their children, a method of teaching through questions and answers. For example, you ask the question: “Who made you?” They answer: “God made me.” Parents should also employ family worship in their home, either morning, evening or both. In this method, the father leads the family in prayers, singing and the reading of Scripture.
Teach them the way of salvation
The primary goal in teaching our children is not that they would be smart but that they would be saved. Children are not born sons of God. Children are born in sin (Ps. 51:5) and as children of Satan (Jn. 8:44). Children must be converted. They must be born again. They must have their sins forgiven.
Paul says the Scriptures are “able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.” Simply reading the Bible doesn’t make someone a Christian. But the Bible shows sinners the way of salvation. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”
The Bible shows our sin and rebellion against a holy God. It proves that we deserve death in hell for eternity. It explains how a loving Father sent His Son to earth to live a perfect life and die on the cross for sinners, only to rise again three days later. It persuades us that all those who repent and trust in Christ alone for salvation will be given the Holy Spirit and eternal life.
Teach them with a team of godly saints
Many teachers should invest in each child. A student’s education is not a one-way street where only one instructional car can enter. Who are these teachers? First, fathers have the primary responsibility to teach their children. This is grossly missing in our world today, especially in Africa where many fathers are absent. Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Proverbs is a book written by a father to his sons. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, passed down wisdom to his children. He writes: “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments” (Pr. 3:1).
Second, mothers and grandparents should teach their children. Timothy’s father was not a Christian and did not teach him the ways of the Lord. This should encourage those who grow up in homes where the father is absent or unbelieving. Instead, Scripture tells us Timothy’s grandmother, Lois, and mother, Eunice, taught him the Bible (2Tm. 1:5).
Third, the church and school should teach children the Scriptures. Send your children to a church where the Scriptures are the center of the church’s message. Better yet, do not send them, accompany them to church. Children can spot hypocrisy. Parent, if you send your children to church but do not attend yourself, do not be surprised when they reach their teen years and rebel against the truth. They saw that rebellion in you first.
Then, give them a Christian education in a school where Christ is the center of every class. Christ created 1+1= 2. He created the world and the rules of logic. Jesus created music and the stars and the ladybugs. He is Lord over every historical event. Find Christian teachers to educate your kids.
We see an example of this in the Old Testament. In 2 Kings, Joash sits on the throne. He is seven years old. Scripture tells us he “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all his days.” Don’t we all want this said of our children? “Billy did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all his days.”
But how could this be? His father, Ahaziah, was wicked and his grandmother, Athaliah, was perhaps the most evil woman in the Bible. But Joash had an uncle whose name was Jehoida. He was also the high priest. He spent his life teaching Joash the things of the Lord and God blessed him for it. The Lord uses many people to educate our children.
Conclusion
When should we teach our children? When they are small. What should we teach our children? The Bible. How should we teach our children? Continually. Why should we teach our children? So that they would be saved. Who should teach our children? A team of godly saints.