Welcome to Authorized Sword Ministries. This is Training Up a Child, Lesson One: Why God Gives Parents This Job.

We're so glad you're here.

Where This Course Begins

This course is for parents, grandparents, and anyone helping raise children in the faith. Over six short lessons, we'll look at simple, practical ways to bring God's Word into everyday family life, and how to answer your children's honest questions about the faith.

We'll stay close to the King James Bible, and we'll keep things plain and doable. You don't need to be a preacher or a Bible scholar to teach your children about God. You just need to love Him and love them.

Children Are a Gift

Before we talk about the job, let's remember the gift.

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." — Psalm 127:3 (KJV)

An heritage means an inheritance. Something precious, handed down from God Himself. On the hard days, when the house is loud and everyone is tired, it helps to remember this. These children were given to you by the Lord.

Our Key Verse

Today's key text is Deuteronomy 6:6-7.

"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." — Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (KJV)

Notice the order. First, "these words... shall be in thine heart." Before God's Word goes into our children, it has to go into us. Our children will notice whether we really believe what we're teaching.

Then, "thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children." Diligently means carefully, steadily, and on purpose.

And look where the teaching happens. When you sit in your house. When you walk by the way. When you lie down at night. And when you get up in the morning. In other words, everywhere. God's plan isn't just one hour on Sunday. It's faith woven into ordinary life. The drive to school. The supper table. Bedtime.

Why God Gives Parents This Job

Why does God put this in the hands of parents? Because no one spends more time with a child, and no one has more influence, than a mother and father.

Church is a blessing, and good teachers are a gift. But God designed the home to be the first classroom. Psalm 78 says it this way:

"We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done." — Psalm 78:4 (KJV)

Every generation has a choice. We can hide the works of God from our children, simply by never talking about them. Or we can show them. Faith is meant to be passed down.

A Mother and a Grandmother

The young pastor Timothy is a beautiful example. Paul wrote to him:

"When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also." — 2 Timothy 1:5 (KJV)

And later:

"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." — 2 Timothy 3:15 (KJV)

Timothy's grandmother and mother taught him the scriptures from the time he was a child. Those quiet lessons at home helped prepare a man God used to serve His church. Never underestimate what happens at your kitchen table.

Train Up a Child

You've probably heard this verse:

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." — Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)

This is a wise principle from God's Word. Early training goes deep. And if you have a grown child who has wandered, please don't lose heart. Keep loving, keep praying, and keep the door open. God is still at work, and the seeds you planted are not forgotten.

Not Harsh, but Nurturing

The Bible also tells us how to teach:

"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." — Ephesians 6:4 (KJV)

Nurture is loving care. Admonition is gentle instruction and correction. Our goal isn't just children who behave. It's children who know and love the Lord.

And remember how Jesus treated children:

"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." — Matthew 19:14 (KJV)

Suffer, here, means allow. Jesus welcomed children. Our job is to help them come to Him.

Simple Steps for This Week

First, read one short Bible passage with your children. A few verses at supper or bedtime is plenty.

Second, pray with them before bed. Let them hear you talk to God by name about the things that matter to them.

Third, share one way God helped you today. Children learn that God is real when they see Him at work in your life.

And fourth, when they ask a question you can't answer, it's alright to say, "Let's find out together."

Next Time

In Lesson Two, we'll look more closely at teaching diligently, and how to bring the Word into everyday life.

A Prayer

Let's pray together.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the gift of children, and for trusting us with them.

Lord, put Your Word deep in our own hearts first. Then help us teach it to our children diligently, with patience and with love.

Where we feel unqualified, give us wisdom. Draw every child in our homes to Jesus, and keep them close to You all the days of their lives.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Thank you for spending this time with us. We'll see you in Lesson Two.

This is Authorized Sword Ministries. God bless you.