Teaching children

[Kimmip]

Hey all. I am trying to learn as much as I can about marriage and kids and all that. I have a question you may think is silly, but I am being serious. Can women teach children about biblical things? I know the bible says the man is the spiritual leader in the family and does that also mean he is the one who teaches them spiritual things? I am going to find it very hard and painful to raise my kids and not be allowed to teach them about God until daddy comes home.... please help, sprictures are much needed as well! Thanks and God bless.

 

[Stan53]

Can women teach children about biblical things? .. please help, sprictures are much needed as well! Thanks and God bless.

Yes. Timothy's teacher was his mother and grandmother. Go read Paul's epistles to Timothy. You will find your answer there plus other rich pickings.

 

[Hadassah]

Not to mention Jochebed and other biblical women who taught their sons and daughters to be godly individuals! Yes, Ironically enough -- women are the anchor at home for this very thing!

 

[jgonz]

Parents are commanded to teach and train their children, so that doesn't just mean men.

 

[Kimmip]

The only scriptures I found supporting that are directed to men/fathers. Could it be that as the leader spiritually and the respect, I need to allow him to discipline and train them in spiritual things. That is hard for me, how am I to do this and raise kids, I can't do any of that until he comes home? yeesh.

 

[lovesbrightpink]

by being the leader it does not mean that you cannot teach your children things. I means that he directs you to the right way.

He needs respect yes and you both should teach your children that in repecting you and obeying you they are also obeying their father.

parenting has to be fifty fifty or children will learn to only listen to their father and walk all over their mother.

 

[-~Truth_N_Trust~-]

Yes, I believe that the father is the spiritual 'head' of the home, but you not only can but must teach - and live what you teach - to your children, in agreement and parrallel with their father.
What I mean, practically, is that you and their father talk and agree on what to do, then you do it during the day - and the father does his part when he is home, but both of you are teaching the same things consistantly.

 

[Birbitt]

Yes the man is the leader of the home and this means the spiritual leader as well. However if dad is unable to lead family devotions it's perfectly ok for mom to do it. My husband leads our family devotions each night, however I teach Bible class in the morning since I am the primary teacher for our children.

 

[Neenie1]

The only scriptures I found supporting that are directed to men/fathers. Could it be that as the leader spiritually and the respect, I need to allow him to discipline and train them in spiritual things. That is hard for me, how am I to do this and raise kids, I can't do any of that until he comes home? yeesh.

I've never been very good at quoting scripture references, but I have read similar scriptures in the past. I don't think those scriptures are saying that mothers can't teach the children scripture or read the Bible with them etc.

In our home I am usually the one who reads the Bible stories, dh sometimes does with the kids before he puts them to bed, but mostly it's me talking with the kids about God.

Obviously dh does his bit too, but he's not with the kids as often as I am. Both of us will talk about God when situations come up, such as if one of the kids has been unkind to someone else, or stealing things etc.

 

[Sign Of The Fish Burger]

Parents are commanded to teach and train their children, so that doesn't just mean men.

Or just women

 

[Singin4Him]

What has already been said is GREAT! I also want to add that I believe the Lord has given us as mothers the ability to guide our children spiritually in ways that their father's may not be able to. God has created men and women differently for many reasons and I believe when it comes to raising children we both have different ways of relating with our children for a reason. I believe as a mother our greatest ministry is our children and guiding them in the Lord, there are so many stories in the bible like the examples that have already been given. Obviously the man is the spiritual leader of the family but that does not mean the woman has no role at all in spiritual things. I think as mothers we should not take lightly our roles. In a sense we have our own unreached people group in our homes and that is HUGE! We are furthering Christ's kingdom just by guiding our children in the Lord!

 

[£amb]

As a mother you would be teaching them. Your children will be watching your actions.

When you pray at meals with your child then you are teaching them to praise God. When you show kindness to a friend or stranger then you're teaching your child to love one another. When you've done something wrong and ask forgiveness then your child learns to forgive and to be forgiven. When you can still find joy during a hardship then you're teaching your child that God cares and that you rely on His grace.

You don't need to do bible verse drills with your child to teach them. Your life will be a reflection to your child that you are living out God's Word.

 

[Robinsegg]

Actually, if you look at the examples of the kings of Israel, you'll see how much influence (for good or ill) the mother had on the future king and his faith. Biblical example is *so much* on the side of a woman discipling her children in faith (again, for good or ill) that it is hard to consider a child who does *not* have such influence.
Rachel

 

[mychildsmissionary]

There is no specific Scripture that says just men are to teach their children. All of the references that I can think of, except for the one in Ephesians, state a general commandment that children be taught by their parents. My favorite verse for parents looking to witness and disciple their children is Malachi 2:15. Not the usual one you'll hear, but convicting when you realize what it is God wants from parents - a LEGACY.

A good example of the husband's role can be found in Joshua chapter 24. The Israelites have finally made it across the Jordan River and have successfully routed the enemies of God. However, Joshua is more than aware that many of them have taken to worshipping the gods of the surrounding nations. He basically draws a line in the sand for them, telling them to choose who they will follow.

That's when Joshua delivers his famous line: As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua has made a stand for his family and has set the tone for what will be central in his home. He doesn't have to be the only one providing the teaching, but he has put his foot down -it will happen!

Hope this helps. And I congratulate you and everyone else who has responded for teaching your children about God and his truths. Your obedience will be blessed!