Training Children in the Lord: An Exhortation and Encouragement

Research reveals that over 90 percent of Christian parents know it’s their responsibility to raise their children to know, love, and serve Jesus. Research also suggests that low numbers of Christian parents regularly read the Bible with their children, discuss matters of faith, or have a plan to raise their children in the Lord. Apparently, not much has changed over the last 300 years.

In 1732, a Puritan pastor named Philip Doddridge preached a series of four sermons on the religious education of children. His purpose was to encourage and exhort parents to take seriously their responsibility to train up their children in the Lord. Doddridge preached the sermon series because he was alarmed at the high number of parents in his congregation who were neglecting to raise their children in the instruction of the Lord.

Doddridge admonished his congregation that they taught their children to read, but not to read the Bible. He boldly proclaimed that parents were willing to care for their own bodies by feeding themselves bread, but not care for the souls of their children by feeding them daily bread from God’s word.

Doddridge asked the parents of his congregation a question that all Christian parents should be asking themselves:

Have you, from the very day of their birth to this time, ever spent one hour seriously instructing them in the knowledge of God and endeavoring to form them to His fear and service in setting before them the misery of their natural condition, and urging them to apply to Christ for life and salvation; in representing the solemnities of death, judgment, and the eternal world, and urging an immediate and diligent preparation for them?

Parents, when have you opened the Bible with your children to study God’s word? When have your prayed for them and with them? If this is not a normal part of your weekly routine may the words of Philip Doddridge remind you how critically important it is for you to train up your children in the Lord.

Your children are born with a corrupted nature, perverted by sin, ignorant of God, in a state of growing enmity to Him, and, in consequence of all, exposed to His wrath and curse, and in the way to everlasting ruin.

May these strong words serve to prevent you from spiritual negligence, exhort you to action, and encourage you toward intentionality.