Parental Influence on Developing Godly Character Traits
Parental Influence on Developing Godly Character Traits
The biblical emphasis on parental influence in shaping the character of children is evident in various passages. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, parents are duty-bound to love, instruct, and train their children in the ways of God [1]. This responsibility is underscored in Proverbs 22:6, which advises parents to "train up a child in the way he should go" [1]. The importance of parental guidance is further highlighted in Ephesians 6:4, where fathers are exhorted not to provoke their children to anger but to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord [4].
The consequences of godly behavior in children are also noted in Proverbs 11:21, which states that "the offspring of the righteous will be delivered" [3]. Children who are taught to obey God and honor their parents are promised blessings (Proverbs 3:1-4; Ephesians 6:2-3) [2]. The New Testament reinforces this idea, with the writer of Hebrews drawing a parallel between earthly fathers' discipline and God's discipline, emphasizing that God's discipline is for the ultimate good of his children [5].
The role of parents in instructing their children is not limited to mere moral guidance; it involves creating an environment that fosters a deepening relationship with God. As noted in 1 Thessalonians 2:11, fathers are expected to provide moral instruction to their children, using methods such as praise, reason, and good counsel [8]. The contrast between human fathers' limited perspective and God's limitless knowledge and love is highlighted in Hebrews 12:10, underscoring the superiority of divine discipline [5].
The Puritan tradition, as represented by Matthew Henry's commentary on Proverbs, emphasizes the significance of parental education in shaping the character of children. Henry notes that the comfort of parents depends on the good behavior of their children, providing a motivation for parents to educate their children in the ways of religion [6].
The biblical model of parental influence on developing godly character traits is characterized by a balance between discipline and gentle instruction. As the Tyndale House commentary on Ephesians 6:4 observes, parents should provide discipline that is "loving and gentle, so that children are not turned from the Lord but are drawn to him" [4]. This approach is in line with the Presbyterian interpretation of Hebrews 12:10, which highlights the distinction between human fathers' discipline and God's discipline [7].
The biblical emphasis on parental responsibility underscores the significance of creating a nurturing environment that promotes the development of godly character traits in children. By following the biblical model of parental guidance, parents can play a vital role in shaping the spiritual lives of their children.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Parents — Receive their children from God -- Ge 33:5; 1Sa 1:27; Ps 127:3. Their duty to their children is To love them. -- Tit 2:4. To bring them to Christ. -- Mt 19:13,14. To train them up for God. -- Pr 22:6; Eph 6:4. To instruct them in God's word. -- De 4:9; 11:19; Isa 38:19. To tell them of God's judgments. -- Joe 1:3. To tell them of the miraculous works of God. -- Ex 10:2; Ps 78:4. To command them to obey God. -- De 32:46; 1Ch 28:9. To bless them. -- Ge 48:15; Heb 11:20. To pity them. -- Ps 103:13. To provide for them. -- Job 42:15; 2Co 12:14; 1Ti 5:8. To rule”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Children, Good — The Lord is with -- 1Sa 3:19. Know the Scriptures -- 2Ti 3:15. Observe the law of God -- Pr 28:7. Their obedience to parents is well pleasing to God -- Col 3:20. Partake of the promises of God -- Ac 2:39. Shall be blessed -- Pr 3:1-4; Eph 6:2,3. Show love to parents -- Ge 46:29. Obey parents -- Ge 28:7; 47:30. Attend to parental teaching -- Pr 13:1. Take care of parents -- Ge 45:9,11; 47:12. Make their parents' hearts glad -- Pr 10:1; 29:17. Honour the aged -- Job 32:6,7. Adduced as a motive for submission to God -- Heb 12:9. Spirit of, a requisite f”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 11:21: 11:21 Godly behavior has positive consequences for the next generation.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 6:4: 6:4 Fathers can often provoke their children to anger by being harsh or unjust (see Col 3:21). Parents should give their children the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord (or the discipline and instruction about the Lord) so that they will learn a way of living that is good and pleases God. Such discipline is not to be excessive, but loving and gentle, so that children are not turned from the Lord but are drawn to him (cp. Heb 12:5-11).”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 12:10: 12:10-11 There are at least two limitations on an earthly father’s discipline. First, his discipline, or education, is only for a few years (literally for a few days)—children eventually leave home. Second, earthly fathers were doing the best they knew how from their limited perspectives. By contrast, God’s discipline lasts throughout life and is always good for us, based on his limitless knowledge and love. His goal is that we might share in his holiness. Although it is painful, discipline brings about a peaceful harvest of right living. It brings God’s childre”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 10:1: Solomon, speaking to us as unto children, observes here how much the comfort of parents, natural, political, and ecclesiastical, depends upon the good behaviour of those under their charge, as a reason, 1. Why parents should be careful to give their children a good education, and to train them up in the ways of religion, which, if it obtain the desired effect, they themselves will have the comfort of it, or, if not, they will have for their support under their heaviness that they have done their duty, have done their endeavour. 2. Why children should conduct the”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 12:10: Showing wherein the chastisement of our heavenly Father is preferable to that of earthly fathers. for a few days--that is, with a view to our well-being in the few days of our earthly life: so the Greek. after their own pleasure--Greek, "according to what seemed fit to themselves." Their rule of chastening is what may seem fit to their own often erring judgment, temper, or caprice. The two defects of human education are: (1) the prevalence in it of a view to the interests of our short earthly term of days; (2) the absence in parents of the unerri”
- 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 2:11: 2:11 In the ancient world, the moral instruction of children was a fundamental obligation of fathers. Roman fathers could be harsh, but Plutarch advised Greek fathers to use praise, reason, exhortations, and good counsel when teaching children to avoid vice and embrace virtue. Paul describes himself as this kind of father to the Thessalonians.”