“My son, observe the commandment of your father, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.” (Proverbs 6:20-22, NASB)

Today’s passage is about Christian education in the family. Children must submit to their parents’ leadership and teaching, and parents must provide proper education and guidance. But if we have to start somewhere, it must start with the parents. You see, children cannot obey parents if they are not given instructions, and they cannot follow godly instructions unless they are taught them. Therefore, it is up to the parents to get things right first if the children are to obey the right things. Parents must provide proper Christian education in the family. Here is a lesson that I gleaned from today’s reading. It says,

“My son, observe the commandment of your father, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother; bind them continually on your heart; tie them around your neck. When you walk about, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk to you.”

Solomon instructed his “son” to observe the teachings of his “father” and “mother.” This exhortation, however, relies on the premise that parents are teaching the right things and will experience blessings resulting from obeying those teachings. In other words, not all parents get it right, and they can teach their children the wrong things. As Christian parents, it falls to us to get Christian education right, so that our children will learn to discern what is good and evil, right and wrong, and what pleases God and what does not.

To me, Christian education is a Bible-centered or Christ-centered approach that provides a God-centered worldview to shape a person’s character and values, so that he or she will know God and understand how to live in a way that pleases Him. This is something that God commanded parents to do throughout the whole Bible. In the Old Testament, parents were entrusted to teach their children about who God is, what He had done, and what He expected of His people. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 says, “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons 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 up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” This passage is called “Shema,” and it is a central prayer in Judaism that reminds them of their duty to love God, obey His commands, and to teach it to their children. Jewish parents were commanded to establish proper education for their families.

Likewise, in the New Testament, God expects parents to get it right and teach it to their children. The responsibility for Christian education falls on the parents, not necessarily on the Sunday Schools. Church programs can be a helpful aid and supplement, but the main responsibility for education falls to the parents. Ephesians 6:4 says, “And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” When Christian education is done properly, and parents and children observe it, God promises rewarding lives on earth. Ephesians 6:1-3 says, “Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.” Notice that it says that it is the “first commandment with a promise,” indicating that there is indeed a blessing attached to obedience, and it is true for both the Old and the New Testament believers. And what is the blessing? It is that it will “be well with you” and “live long on the earth.” This refers to a life that is rich in both quality and quantity. Christian education is not only commanded but also promises an abundant life here and in the life to come.

• How did Solomon know his teachings were correct?
• How can the church best equip parents to confidently share the Gospel and model Christian education within the family?