Modeling Kingdom Values for Children in Family Life

The concept of "kingdom values" in family life, particularly concerning children, centers on adopting God's value system, pursuing His purposes, and submitting to His authority ^[4]. This involves recognizing children as a blessing from God and understanding their role within the divine economy ^[7]. The Bible presents children not merely as extensions of their parents but as individuals capable of receiving the benefits of redemption and as models for how one should enter God's kingdom ^{[10, 5]}.

The New Testament, particularly the Gospels, emphasizes the significance of children in relation to the Kingdom of God. Jesus explicitly states, "Let the little children come to me; do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of God" (Mark 10:14). This statement suggests that children possess characteristics that make them fit for the Kingdom ^[1]. Matthew 18:4-5 further elaborates on these characteristics, pointing to humility and the ability to receive things simply as attributes desirable for those entering the Kingdom ^[1]. Luke 18:17 reinforces this, stating that one must "receive the Kingdom of God like a child," implying a childlike faith and dependence on God are prerequisites for entrance ^[5]. Charles Hodge notes that if children are members of Christ's kingdom in heaven, there is no reason to exclude them from His kingdom on earth, and that parents naturally desire their children to be included in the Christian Church ^[10].

In the context of family life, modeling kingdom values for children involves parents demonstrating these attributes. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy 3:4, discusses the qualifications for church leaders, stating that a man must "rule his own house well, having his children in subjection with all gravity." The Greek term for "ruleth" implies "presiding over," and "gravity" refers to propriety or reverent modesty on the part of the children ^[6]. This passage suggests that a well-ordered household, where children are respectful and obedient, serves as a recommendation for a man's ability to lead the church, implying that the values instilled in the home reflect kingdom principles ^[6]. The family, therefore, becomes a primary sphere for the cultivation of these values.

The Old Testament also provides insights into the value of children and their place within God's plan. Psalm 127:3-5 describes children as a heritage from the Lord and a reward, comparing them to "arrows in the hand of a warrior" ^{[7, 8]}. This imagery suggests that God uses children to protect the reputation of His people against the wicked ^[8]. The Hebrew words for "children" (banim) and "builders" (bonim) in Psalm 127:1 and 127:3 create a wordplay, indicating that having children builds a family ^[7]. This highlights the foundational role of children in the continuity and strength of a family, which in turn contributes to the broader community of faith.

A key aspect of kingdom values is understanding that true kinship in God's Kingdom is not determined by blood ties but by a faith relationship ^[3]. While family is important, the ultimate allegiance is to God and His purposes. This perspective challenges worldly views where survival and legacy are often tied to the continuation of a family line through children ^[2]. The death of the Egyptian firstborn, for instance, demonstrated that human efforts cannot guarantee survival; life is a gift from God ^[2]. Therefore, modeling kingdom values means teaching children that their ultimate hope and security rest in God, not in worldly achievements or familial lineage.

The pursuit of kingdom values also stands in contrast to a worldly kingdom. Charles Hodge argues against pre-millennial views that depict Christ's kingdom on earth as primarily a worldly kingdom focused on worldly prosperity ^[9]. Instead, the kingdom of God, as understood in Scripture, involves a different set of priorities and a spiritual blessedness that transcends material well-being ^[9]. Therefore, parents modeling kingdom values would prioritize spiritual growth, humility, and dependence on God over the accumulation of wealth or worldly status for their children.

Sources

Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 10:14: 10:14-15 Mark does not explain what characteristics of children make them fit for the Kingdom of God; Matthew 18:4-5 suggests that the attributes include humility and the ability to receive things simply.”
Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 11:5: 11:5 In much of the world, the issue of survival is addressed through children, and it is through the firstborn sons that the family line is carried on. If we have a child, there is a sense of satisfaction that even when we are dead, we will live on through our children. In the death of the Egyptian firstborn, God was showing that humans can do nothing by themselves to guarantee survival. Life is a gift, and that gift is in the hand of the one Lord, the “I Am.””
Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 3:33: 3:33-34 In God’s Kingdom, one’s true relatives are determined not by blood but by a faith relationship (see also 10:29-30).”
Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 12:31: 12:31 Seek the Kingdom of God: Adopt God’s value system, pursue his purpose in the world, and submit to his authority.”
Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 18:17: 18:17 receive the Kingdom of God like a child: Entrance into the Kingdom of God requires childlike faith and dependence on God.”
1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 3:4: ruleth--Greek, "presiding over." his own house--children and servants, as contrasted with "the church" (house) of God (Ti1 3:5, Ti1 3:15) which he may be called on to preside over. having his children--rather as Greek, "having children (who are) in subjection" (Tit 1:6). gravity--propriety: reverent modesty on the part of the children [ALFORD]. The fact that he has children who are in subjection to him in all gravity, is the recommendation in his favor as one likely to rule well the Church.”
Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 127:3: 127:3-5 Children are one of God’s blessings. The words translated “children” (Hebrew banim) and “builders” (bonim, 127:1) form a wordplay. Having children builds a family.”
Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 127:4: 127:4-5 like arrows: God uses children to protect the reputation of his people against the wicked (cp. 120:4; 7:12-13).”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 95: great advance on the present state of the Church; but, exalt it as you may, it is far below heaven. This argument bears, at least, against the patristic doctrine of the millennium. 6. The view presented by pre-millennarians of the kingdom of Christ on earth is, in many respects, inconsistent with the Scriptural account of its nature. ( a .) It is to be a worldly kingdom. ( b .) Its blessedness is to consist largely in worldly prosperity. Although the modern advocates of the doctrine have eliminated the grosser elements included in the the”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 63: took them into his arms, and blessed them, and said, of such is the kingdom of heaven. If members of his kingdom in heaven, why should they be excluded from his kingdom on earth? Whenever a father or mother seeks admission to the Christian Church, their heart prompts them to say: Here Lord am I and the children whom thou hast given me. And his gracious answer has always been: Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not. Eighth Proposition. Children need, and are capable of receiving the Benefits of Redemption. On this point”

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