Text: Matthew 13:18-23
Memory verse:
”But they said, “We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, saying, ‘You shall drink no wine, you nor your sons, forever.“
Jeremiah 35:6 NKJV
Other factors, aside from parents factor could also account for the attitudinal problems of the society. Some children with good upbringing and childhood training still grow up to forget their training. Solomon said,
“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.” (Prov 1:8 NIV).
It means that a child who had earlier been taught can grow up to forsake or forget what he or she had learned. Again, he said, ”my father would teach me. He would say, “Remember what I say and never forget it. Do as I tell you, and you will live.“ (Prov 4:4 GNT).
Yet, it is also possible to remember the teachings of your childhood years even at adulthood, like King Lemuel who recalled the teachings of his mother and the Rechabites, who kept the commands of their father (Prov 31:1; Jer 35:6).
The parable of the sower gives us some clues on why children with good upbringing throw away their values at adulthood.
Firstly is the roadside factor. In this case, the teaching was not accepted in the first place. This happens when parents preach religion instead of salvation. Everyone, whether a child or an adult, has a hard heart, and until the hard heart is broken by the gospel of salvation, every seed planted will only be food for birds. All the teachings, instructions, and commands will appear to have been received but will not be retained.
Secondly is the stony ground factor. This happens when the teachings are not established in the heart. Instructions and commands were given and were received but were not rooted in the heart. Children obey commands without understanding. Children get confused seeing parents live contrary to their teachings. The children know God as their father’s God and not as their God. So, they practice the instructions only to please their parents. Thus, over time, they throw away such teachings.
Thirdly is the thorny ground factor. The children were not prepared for life outside their parent’s house. Thus, they get choked up under peer pressure and the wave of new ideas in the world. In struggling to belong, they lose their values and manners.
What then is the way out? Preach salvation to them and train them, that is, teach to understand, teach by words and lifestyle and pray that the words be established in them.
Prayer points
1. Father, please, bring salvation to parents and children that have not known You, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, please, give our children good understanding of You and help our parents to live by example, in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations
1. People don’t forsake or forget their childhood teachings if they understood it and saw examples in their parents.
2. As a parent, I seek the salvation of my children and I establish my teaching in them through prayer.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng