Parental Influence on Spiritual Development in Children
Parental Influence on Spiritual Development in Children
The biblical account of Jesus' childhood notes that "the child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him" (Luke 2:40) [1]. This passage highlights the importance of spiritual growth in children and implies a role for parental influence. The duty of parents to their children is multifaceted, including loving them, bringing them to Christ, training them up for God, instructing them in God's word, and providing for them (Torrey's Topical Textbook) [2].
The New Testament provides specific guidance on the relationship between parents and children. The apostle Paul instructs children to obey their parents, and parents to discipline their children gently, avoiding harshness or injustice that might provoke them to anger (Ephesians 6:1-4, Colossians 3:20-21) [3, 4]. The purpose of parental discipline is to provide children with instruction and guidance that comes from the Lord, enabling them to live a life pleasing to God (Ephesians 6:4) [4]. This understanding is rooted in the cultural context of the time, where fathers played a significant role in the day-to-day raising of their children, including discipline (Hebrews 12:7) [5].
The biblical concept of spiritual birth and growth is also relevant to understanding parental influence. According to 1 John 5:1, those who believe in Jesus Christ are born spiritually as children of God and are empowered by the Spirit to love God and others, and to obey God's commands [6]. Parents play a crucial role in nurturing this spiritual growth by modeling obedience to God and providing a loving, gentle environment for their children to develop their faith.
The Puritan tradition, as represented by Matthew Henry's commentary on Ephesians 6:1, emphasizes the importance of children's obedience to their parents as a means of cultivating their fear of the Lord and promoting their spiritual development [7]. The Presbyterian tradition, as seen in Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on Proverbs 27:11, highlights the reciprocal relationship between parents and children, where the wisdom of children reflects credit on parents and contributes to their aid in difficulties [9].
The book of Hebrews provides further insight into the nature of parental discipline, contrasting the limited and imperfect discipline of earthly fathers with the perfect and lifelong discipline of God (Hebrews 12:10-11) [8]. While earthly fathers do their best to discipline their children based on their limited perspectives, God's discipline is always good and aimed at producing holiness in his children.
Sources
- Luke “The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. -- Luke 2:40”
- 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”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 6:1: 6:1-4 The relationship between parents and children is to be a reflection of their devotion to the Lord. Christian children are to obey their parents, and Christian parents are to discipline their children gently (see Col 3:20-21).”
- 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 12:7: 12:7-8 disciplined by its father: Fathers from Greco-Roman as well as Jewish families were involved in day-to-day aspects of raising their children. Discipline was seen as a necessary, healthy, and important component of preparing the child for adulthood. A lack of fatherly discipline—in this case, a lack of hardships in life—is a mark of illegitimacy, not a blessing.”
- 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 5:1: 5:1-5 Those who believe that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God have been born spiritually as children of God (see John 20:31). Such people are empowered by the Spirit of God to love him and others, and by their faith to obey God and overcome the evil temptations of the world. Through faith, they can love God and live in obedience to him.”
- Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 6:1: Here we have further directions concerning relative duties, in which the apostle is very particular. I. The duty of children to their parents. Come, you children, hearken to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord. The great duty of children is to obey their parents (Eph 6:1), parents being the instruments of their being, God and nature having given them an authority to command, in subserviency to God; and, if children will be obedient to their pious parents, they will be in a fair way to be pious as they are. That obedience which God demands from their childr”
- 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 (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 27:11: The wisdom of children both reflects credit on parents and contributes to their aid in difficulties.”