5. GOOD THINGS IN SMALL PACKAGES

God's gift of family doesn't stop with just the marriage between a man and a woman. He also blessed us with the ability to have children - no small miracle in itself! We are able to bring new life into being, to help support and nourish that life, to pass on our beliefs and our culture to those who come after us. In fact, children, too, are a part of God's beautiful design. Read Genesis 1:27-31.

For what purpose did God tell Adam and Eve to bear children? (verse 28)  

Not only did He tell them to have children, but He promised to provide for their family (verse 29) and decided that He was very pleased with this arrangement (verse 31).

Bringing more people into the family can create additional problems. That's why God again offers us good advice in His Word. First, He has a word or two about how to be good parents. Read Proverbs 20:7.

How does this verse describe a good father?  

(It is safe to say that the same is true of a good mother!) Children learn very quickly from the example that is given them by their parents. It is not enough to tell a child how to behave, our own actions have to demonstrate what is right.

But there is a source of teaching even more important than the example of the parents. Read Ephesians 6:4. What are the two things this verse says are necessary for raising a child?

1.  
2.  

If your whole family - parents, children, grandparents - goes often to God's Word, learns what that Word has to say about God's will for us, and puts that will of God into action, then you have given your children what they need to grow up to be faithful Christians. They will know from their Lord what is the right thing to do.

God also adds some words of instruction to children. Read Ephesians 6:1-3. The first thing that God asks of children is that they obey their parents. Why is obedience so important in a family's life? Then God asks that children respect their parents. What do you think is meant by that word, "respect"? How do you think children can best show respect to the older members of their family?

With parents who give their children a strong foundation in God's Word and set a good example with their own lives - with children who obey and respect their parents because it is God's will - the result will always be a happy family. Everyone will experience the joy that God meant for us when He gave us the gift of one another.

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