Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, parents hold a significant and divinely ordained role within the family structure. The Bible provides numerous references and teachings regarding the responsibilities, duties, and honor associated with parenthood.
Biblical Responsibilities of ParentsParents are primarily tasked with the spiritual and moral upbringing of their children. This responsibility is rooted in the Old Testament, where God commands His people to diligently teach His commandments to their children.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 states, "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
The New Testament reinforces this duty, emphasizing the importance of nurturing children in the faith.
Ephesians 6:4 instructs, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This verse highlights the balance parents must maintain between discipline and encouragement, ensuring that their guidance leads children towards a godly life.
Honor and Obedience to ParentsThe Bible places a strong emphasis on the respect and honor children must show towards their parents. The Fifth Commandment, found in
Exodus 20:12 , declares, "Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." This commandment is reiterated in the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul writes in
Ephesians 6:1-3 , "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' (which is the first commandment with a promise), 'that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.'"
Parental Love and SacrificeThe Bible portrays parental love as a reflection of God's love for His children. This love is characterized by sacrifice, care, and provision. Jesus uses the example of a father's love to illustrate God's willingness to give good gifts to His children, as seen in
Matthew 7:9-11 : "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!"
Challenges and Wisdom in ParentingThe Bible acknowledges the challenges inherent in parenting and offers wisdom for navigating these difficulties.
Proverbs 22:6 advises, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This proverb underscores the importance of early and consistent instruction in righteousness.
Additionally, the Bible encourages parents to seek wisdom from God, as seen in
James 1:5 : "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." This divine wisdom is essential for parents as they guide their children through life's complexities.
ConclusionThe biblical view of parents encompasses a profound responsibility to nurture, instruct, and love their children in accordance with God's commandments. Parents are called to be models of faith and integrity, instilling in their children the values and teachings that will guide them throughout their lives.
Greek
1118. goneus -- a parent... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: goneus Phonetic Spelling:
(gon-yooce') Short Definition: a parent Definition: a begetter, father; plur:
parents...2151. eusebeo -- to show piety towards
... show piety, worship. From eusebes; to be pious, ie (towards God) to worship, or
(towardsparents) to respect (support) -- show piety, worship....
3962. pater -- a father
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition a father NASB Word Usage father (348),
father's (13), fathers (53),parents (1). father, parent....
5387. philostorgos -- tenderly loving
... From philos and storge (cherishing one's kindred, especiallyparents or children);
fond of natural relatives, ie Fraternal towards fellow Christian -- kindly...
4269. progonos -- born before
... ancestor. Word Origin from proginomai Definition born before NASB Word Usage
forefathers (1),parents (1). forefather, parent. From...
2878. korban -- an offering
... 2878 (see OT 7133) -- ; properly, a gift (offering) dedicated to God, and by the
Jews as a way to their rightful duty to God to care for agedparents (etc.)....
Library
It is Very Desirable thatParents Should Encourage the Desire for...
... To Marcellina, His Sister. Book I. Chapter XII. It is very desirable that
parents should encourage the desire for the virgin life?...
Obedience toParents.
... CHAPTER XIX. OBEDIENCE TOPARENTS. In the natural order of things, man,
after having obeyed hisparents in his youth, becomes in...
Song 23. Obedience toParents.
... Divine Songs Song 23. Obedience toparents. Obedience toparents. 8,6,8,6.... Hear what
their teachers say; With reverence meet theirparents' word,....
Wesley InstructsParents
... Chapter 14. Justice for Methodists; Methodist Character; Instructions toParents;
Wesley's Opinion of Mary Queen of Scots Wesley InstructsParents....
Whether it is Lawful forParents to Strike their Children, or...
... OF OTHER INJURIES COMMITTED ON THE PERSON (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether it is lawful
forparents to strike their children, or masters their slaves?...
Death ofParents.
... MOURNING AND CONSOLATION. 595. " Death ofParents. 595. LM Fawcett. Death
ofParents. 1 The God of mercy will indulge The flowing...
Song 23. Obedience toParents.
... Obedience toParents. 1 Let children that would fear the Lord Hear what their teachers
say; With reverence meet theirparents' word, And with delight obey....
On Obedience toParents
... Second Series Sermon 96 On Obedience toParents. "Children, obey yourparents
in all things." Col.3:20. 1. It has been a subject of...
An Appeal to Children of GodlyParents
... An Appeal to Children of GodlyParents.... Solomon tells us to do two things
with the teachings which we have learned of ourparents....
Whether the Sin of Our FirstParents was More Grievous than Other...
... OF THE FIRST MAN'S SIN (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the sin of our firstparents
was more grievous than other sins? Objection 1: It would...
Thesaurus
Parents (27 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Parents (27 Occurrences). Matthew
... child. Children will
rise up against
parents, and cause them to be put to death.
...Tobit
... Theparents of Tobias at Nineveh, like those of Sarah at Ecbatana, wished to see
their only child married that they might have descendants, but the marriage...
Piety (21 Occurrences)
... Lat. pietas, properly honour and respect towardparents (1 Timothy 5:4). In Acts
17:23 the Greek verb is rendered "ye worship," as applicable to God....
Anaharath (1 Occurrence)
... Theparents of Tobias at Nineveh, like those of Sarah at Ecbatana, wished to see
their only child married that they might have descendants, but the marriage...
Orphan (25 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Bereaved ofparents, or (sometimes) of one parent. 3. (vt) To cause to become
an orphan; to deprive ofparents. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ORPHAN...
Parentage (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Descent fromparents or ancestors; the relation of
a child to a parent;parents or ancestors considered with respect to their...
Corban (2 Occurrences)
... they had destroyed the commandment which requires children to honour their father
and mother, teaching them to find excuse from helping theirparents by the...
Church (110 Occurrences)
... 13. The children of all who thus profess the true religion are members
of the visible church along with theirparents. Children...
Esau (89 Occurrences)
... At the age of forty years, to the great grief of hisparents, he married (Genesis
26:34, 35) two Canaanitish maidens, Judith, the daughter of Beeri, and...
Crimes (22 Occurrences)
... See separate article. Ill-treatment ofParents (Exodus 21:15, 17 Leviticus 20:9
Deuteronomy 21:18).... See alsoParents, Crimes against; Blasphemy. Incest....
Resources
How can Christian parents deal with empty-nest syndrome? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about single parents / parenting? | GotQuestions.orgHow should Christian parents respond if one of their children comes out as gay? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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