THE BIBLE IN THE HOME
2nd Timothy 3.15-17
Christianity proceeds from a Book - the Holy Bible. The Christ of Christianity is the Christ of the Bible, the Son of God. Outside of the Bible we cannot know Him, nor is there true Christianity that does not accept the absolute authority of the Bible.
It follows that the home that wants to be Christian must be a home where the Bible is believed, loved and obeyed. This Book taught at home, is the biggest source of moral character, the best way to prevent the delinquencies of youth.
Christian parents, it is essential that your children know the Bible, so that they can come to know Christ as their own Saviour. “Since your childhood” - so says the Scripture cited above. Through the careful teaching of the Bible, parents can gain their children to Christ and also correct their errors and instruct them in good behaviour.
The best place for the teaching of the Bible is the home. It is there that God orders that His Word is taught (Deuteronomy 6.6-7; Ephesians 6.4). “You, fathers, bring your children up in the training and admonition of the Lord” - that is, in the teaching and commandments that are found in the Bible. Of course mothers help in this work of instructing the children, especially when they are still young - as generally they have more time with them. However both the father and the mother have responsibility for this before God, and they cannot leave it for account of the church.
The Sunday School, for example, does not have sufficient time to fulfil this task. There, half an hour a week is all that can be given for teaching of the Word - and what is that for such an important objective? No doubt, Sunday School is a great blessing when the teachers are faithful and competent, but they can only teach a bit of what it is necessary.
Mind you, I do not want to underestimate, less still to disdain the work of the Sunday School. Generally it is an invaluable service, provided freely and with much sacrifice of time and energy by the teachers, and which has also been richly blessed by God during the more than 200 years of its existence. However, I want to point out that, for the believing parents, the responsibility for Biblical instruction to the children falls mainly on they themselves and not on the church.
This instruction must be done at home; and I suggest for this purpose the establishment of a domestic Bible reading (almost unknown in many homes). Read the Bible consecutively, chapter by chapter, each day at an appointed time, with children and parents present. Those already able to read may read the text, verse by verse, alternately. The father, or the mother, can give a small explanation (with questions), but not a sermon! The reading will finish with a prayer by the father or a competent son.
For small children Bible stories must be told (rather than read) in homely language. There are so many of them, in the Old and New Testaments, the children like to hear them, time after time! Later they will read them for themselves.
We know that there will be difficulty. Perhaps the first one will be to make the decision to start the custom of having a domestic Bible reading at home! Which would be the most convenient hour? … “seek first the kingdom of God” - and where there is good will, God will show the way to act.
Richard Dawson Jones (1895 - 1987)
(“Vigiai e Orai” – No. 55 - July 1981)
See also:
15 ...From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3 verses 15 to 17