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Children
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous,
boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded,
lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;” In writing to Timothy [2 Timothy 3:1-3] around 2000 years ago, Paul pinpointed the perils to come in ways that sound startling familiar today.
Many of these issues have been been addressed in previous articles, but today I would like to consider the place of children in our society and
the context of the above verses. In what is considered to be a civilised country we have witnessed news coverage of a range of cruel, unacceptable acts against children in recent times. It seems inconceivable that
children have been exposed to neglect, squalor and starvation. This has been particularly heartbreaking where babies and toddlers are concerned.
What are the basic needs of children ? They are dependent upon caring, responsible adults who will provide them with food, shelter and
clothing. They also need love and protection required for their developmental progress, and in return the ability to love and respect those who care for them. These should be relevant to individuals who will
grow to responsible adulthood. Home environments vary widely, and many families may need support themselves, in order to have balanced lives.
Role models are as important today as they were in the days of Paul. So can we get advice from his writings? In his correspondence to Timothy,
Paul remembers his upbringing by his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, who were instrumental in his understanding, development and faith. [1Timothy 1:5] We can conclude that Timothy had a stable, loving upbringing through Paul’s opinion
of him, for when he went out to preach the gospel Paul said, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the
believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1Timothy 4:12
In other epistles Paul had further advice for children and parents; For example -
Ephesians 6:1-4
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well
with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Life has changed greatly over 2000 years, but principles should be consistent. These start in the home where children are nurtured and
cherished. Where do these principles come from? We would argue that the teachings of scripture have much to recommend effective child care and development. Jesus said, “Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not” [Luke 18:17] during an incident where his disciples thought they might be distracting others from
listening to the gospel message. He continued, “for of such is the kingdom of God. Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God
as a little child shall in no wise enter therein”.
Jesus learned lessons as a child from Mary and Joseph in both spiritual and practical ways. He also attended the synagogue school. Like
Timothy, “from a child he knew the scriptures”. At the age
of twelve, when he went on the annual Passover visit to the temple with Joseph and Mary his knowledge astounded all those who heard him. Luke recounts in chapter 2:46-52:
“And
it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and
answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye
sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his
mother kept all these sayings in her heart.And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man”.
We know little of the next few years, but his sound upbringing and development were evident in his later teachings when at the age of 33
Jesus began to proclaim the gospel. In coming to the synagogue in his home town of Nazareth he read from the book of Isaiah chapter 61 and
astounded everyone with the affirmation that this scripture was talking about him. [Luke 4:18-21]
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the
gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of
the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this
scripture fulfilled in your ears.”
What better role model could we have than that of the Son of God?
The roots of the teaching of Jesus were from the Old Testament scriptures.The gospel he taught went further than the law by addressing the love
of God in the new covenant fulfilled in Jesus. For us this requires careful study of the whole Bible. Blessings abound for those who believe.
For example those shown in Matthew 5:3-9
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Jesus drew upon the writings of the Old Testament, especially the law and prophets. He would have been familiar with Deuteronomy 6:6-7 which encouraged correct teaching of children;
“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”.The basis of this came from the ten
commandments and the laws given to Moses.
In going back to these laws Jesus told a certain ruler, "Thou
knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.” [Luke 18:21] In order to inherit eternal life the ruler had to go a step further by
renouncing his worldly riches. Loving care was at the root of the gospel message.
Luke10:25-28 gives further insight;
And, behold, a certain
lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with
all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
When the ruler asked “Who is my neighbour?” Jesus gave one of his best known parables about the good Samaritan. [Luke 10:30-37]
We can see in this short article that there is a way forward for all people. Family life needs guidance and protection, stability and
love. We go back to Luke 18:16-18
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid
them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
The qualities here reach far beyond childhood, but this is where they can start and can be nurtured to further understanding of life and the
gospel of Jesus Christ. This is as true in the modern world as it was in the days of Timothy, Paul and Jesus.
In conclusion, we pray that the signs of the times spoken of by Paul to Timothy will be soon be over, and that the future will reveal the
coming of Christ when there will be peace on earth for all nations.
Zechariah 8:3-5
Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall
be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff
in his hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.
The kingdom of God will be available to all those who follow the teachings of Jesus and are baptised into his name. [Mark 16:15-16]
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