FOCUS ON THE FAMILY

By David J. Riggs

1. Eph. 6:1-3 - Mutual responsibility - "children obey your parents,"
   "honor father and mother."

2. 1 Tim. 5:8 - Parents are to meet the physical needs of their
   children.  This includes:
   a. Proper food, clothing, shelter, education, etc.
   b. Help sons and daughters make proper social adjustments.
   c. Enable sons to provide for their families, and to be good
      fathers and husbands.
   d. Enable daughters to be good wives and mothers.  See Titus
      2:4-5; 1 Tim. 5:14

3. Eph. 6:4; Prov. 22:6 - Parents greatest responsibility is the
   spiritual well being of their children.  This is best accomplished
   by:
   a. Beginning early in life.  2 Tim. 1:5; 2 Tim. 3:15; Eccl. 12:1
   b. Nurturing them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord.
      (From the ASV).
      i. Nurture - to educate, bring up, or to train.
      ii. Admonition - Gentle or friendly reproof; counseling
            against fault or oversight.
      iii. Chastening - To correct or warn by punishment or
            discipline.  Prov. 13:24; 23:13-14

4. How is this training and admonition accomplished?
   a. By example.  Matt. 5:13-16; Acts 1:2 (Jesus not only left us
      His teaching, but His example).
      i. By righteous living.  Titus 2:11-12
   b. By teaching.  Deut. 6:6-7; 2 Tim. 3:15
      i. By proper respect for God's word.  2 Thess. 2:10-12; 1
         Thess. 2:13; Rom. 3:4
      ii. Concern for God's kingdom.  Matt. 6:33; Heb. 10:25
      iii. Concern for lost souls.  Matt. 16:26; 9:35-38

5. Parents must provide a good spiritual environment: (1) Prayer, (2)
   Bible study, (3) Wholesome recreation and entertainment, and (4)  
   God fearing, truth loving, godly living parents.

6. Children, too, must learn their proper place in the family.
   a. Obedience to parents.  Eph. 6:1-2
   b. Living godly.  Eccl. 12:1; 1 Tim. 4:12
   c. Know the Scriptures.  2 Tim. 3:15-17

7. The place of the whole family.  Joshua 24:14-15 - "Serve the
   Lord."

Concl.
Let each one of us take our proper place in the family that God
Himself might be honored and glorified.