CHILDREN
Includes pregnancy, the “right to life”, childbirth, raising & training children
1. Pregnancy:
A. Children are a blessing from God:
Psalms 127:3 Children are an heritage of the Lord: & the fruit of the womb is His reward
Genesis 49:25 God…shall bless thee with blessings of…the womb
Psalms 113:9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, & to be a joyful mother of children
Psalms 127:4,5 As arrows…so are children…Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them
Psalms 128:1,3 Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine
Proverbs 17:6 Children’s children are the crown of old men
1 Timothy 5:14 I will therefore that…women marry, bear children
(See also Genesis 30:1; Deuteronomy 33:24; 1 Samuel 1:1-18;Luke 1:42.)
B. People do their part, but conception is still God’s doing:
Genesis 25:21 Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren…& Rebekah his wife conceived
Genesis 30:22,23 God remembered Rachel…& opened her womb. And she conceived, & bare a son
1 Samuel 1:27 For this child I prayed; & the Lord hath given me
Hebrews 2:13 Behold I & the children which God hath given me
Luke 1:7,13 Thy prayer is heard; & thy wife…shall bear thee a son
(See also Genesis 29:31; 33:5; Judges 13:3; Psalms 115:14.)
C. God is the One Who blesses women with pregnancy:
Genesis 4:1 Adam knew Eve…& she conceived, & bare Cain, & said, I have gotten a man from the Lord
Genesis 4:25 Adam knew his wife again; & she bare a son…God, said she, hath appointed me another seed
Ruth 4:13 When (Boaz) went in unto (Ruth), the Lord gave her conception, & she bare a son
(See also 1 Samuel 1:19,20 )
D. It is God Who keeps some women from having children:
1 Samuel 1:5 But the Lord had shut up (Hannah’s) womb
(See also Genesis 30:1,2)
E. In the Bible, it was considered a reproach not to have children:
(See Genesis 20:17,18; 2 Samuel 6:23; Jeremiah 22:30. )
2. The Lord’s hand on children before birth:
A. God forms children in the womb:
Job 31:15 Did not He that made me in the womb make him? And did not One fashion us in the womb?
Job 33:4 The Spirit of God hath made me, &…given me life
Psalms 71:5,6 By Thee I have been holden up from the womb
Psalms 139:14-16 I am wonderfully made…in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned
(See also Isaiah 44:24a )
B. It is God Who gives life & a soul to unborn children:
Job 33:4 The breath of the Almighty hath given me life
Genesis 2:7 God…breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; & man became a living soul
Acts 17:25b He giveth to all life, & breath
C. His care of children in the womb:
Psalms 139:13 Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb
Isaiah 40:11 He…shall gently lead those that are with young
D. God loves & knows children, even before birth:
Psalms 22:10 I was cast upon Thee from the womb: Thou art my God from my mother’s belly
Isaiah 49:1 The Lord hath called me from the womb; from the (womb) hath He made mention of my name
Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; before thou camest out of the womb I sanctified thee
Luke 1:13 [Angel said:] Thy wife…shall bear thee a son, & thou shalt call his name John
3. The Bible on “the right to life”:
A. Abortion is murder & infanticide:
Psalms 106:38 Shed innocent blood…of their sons & daughters
Deuteronomy 27:25 Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent
Jeremiah 2:34,35 In thy skirts is found the blood…of poor innocents
Acts 7:19 They cast out their young (literally: “newly-born or unborn”) children, to the end they might not live
2 Timothy 3:1-3 In the last days…men [& women] shall be lovers of their selves…without natural affection (love)
B. Don’t worry about overpopulating the earth:
Genesis 1:28 Be fruitful, & multiply, & replenish the earth
James 5:8b For the coming of the Lord draweth nigh
C. God promises to take care of believers’ children:
Psalms 37:25 I have been young & now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread
Proverbs 11:21b The seed of the righteous shall be delivered
Isaiah 65:23b They are the seed of the blessed…& their offspring
(See also Psalms 25:12,13; 102:28; 112:1,2; Proverbs 14:26; Philippians 4:19.)
4. Childbirth:
A. God’s people often blessed with easy childbirth:
Exodus 1:19 The Hebrew women are…lively, & are delivered ere (before) the midwives come
Isaiah 66:7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a child
B. God can help in the delivery:
Psalms 22:9a Thou art He that took me out of the womb
Psalms 71:6 Thou art He that took me out of my mother’s bowels
Isaiah 46:3 (They) are borne by Me from the belly…from the womb
C. Promises to claim during long labour:
Isaiah 65:23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed
Isaiah 66:9 Shall I bring to the birth, & not cause to bring forth? shall I cause to bring forth, & shut the womb?
John 16:21 As soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born
Hebrews 11:11 Through faith Sara…was delivered of a child…because she judged Him faithful Who had promised
D. Promises for strength:
Isaiah 40:29-31 He giveth power to the faint; & to them that have no might He increaseth strength…renew their strength
Isaiah 41:10 Be not dismayed…I will strengthen thee
E. Conditions for claiming God’s promises:
Daniel 6:16b God Whom thou servest continually, will deliver thee
1 Timothy 2:15 She shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith &charity (love)
5. Teaching & training your children:
Judges 13:8 Teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born
A. God’s care of young children:
Matthew 18:10 In Heaven their angels always behold the face of (God)
1 Corinthians 7:14 [Even if only one parent is a believer, the children are sanctified by God]
B. Their early training will guide them all through life:
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: & when he is old, he will not depart from it
C. Give the care & training of your children priority:
Mark 7:27 Let the children first be filled
3John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth
D. If you neglect them for other things, you’ll both suffer:
Proverbs 29:15b A child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame
1 Kings 20:40a As (I) was busy (with other things) here & there, he was gone (See also Matthew 23:23b )
E. You should teach your children the Word:
Deuteronomy 6:6,7 These Words…teach them diligently unto thy children
Deuteronomy 11:18-20 Lay up these My Words in your heart & in your soul…& teach them (to) your children
Isaiah 38:19b The father to the children shall make known Thy truth
Joel 1:3 Tell ye your children…& let your children tell their children, & their children another generation
John 21:15 Lovest thou Me more than these? Feed My lambs
2 Timothy 3:15 From a child (infancy) thou hast known the Scriptures
(See also Deuteronomy 31:12,13; Psalms 78:1-6; 1 John 2:13.)
F. Teach your children to trust in God:
Psalms 22:9b Thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts
Psalms 34:11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear (reverence) of the Lord
Psalms 78:6,7 Declare them to [your] children: that they might set their hope in God
Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, & to your children
Hebrews 2:13 I will put my trust in Him…I & the children
G. Lead them to receive Jesus:
Mark 10:14 Suffer (allow) the little children to come unto Me
Galatians 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth…until Christ be formed in you
1 John 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake
H. God’s Word teaches them how to have eternal life:
John 5:39 Search the Scriptures; in them…ye have eternal life
2 Timothy 3:15 Scriptures…are able to make thee wise unto salvation
I. Only God can teach life’s most important lessons:
Psalms 25:5 Lead me in Thy truth, & teach me: for Thou art…God
Proverbs 8:32,33 Hearken unto Me, O ye children…keep My ways. Hear instruction, & be wise, & refuse it not
Isaiah 54:13 All thy children shall be taught of the Lord; & great shall be peace of thy children (See also John 6:45)
1 Corinthians 2:13 We speak…words…which the Holy Ghost teacheth
J. Children worshipping with their parents:
Proverbs 8:35 [“Little ones” listen to Bible reading with parents]
2 Chronicles 20:13 [Children included in serious prayer meeting]
(See also Joel 2:12,15,16)
6. Children’s obedience & disobedience:
A. Children are to obey their parents:
Proverbs 1:8,9 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, &…mother
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: this is right
Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord
B. Children are to honour & reverence their parents:
Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father & mother: that thy days may be long
Leviticus 19:3 Ye shall fear every man his mother, & his father
Ephesians 6:2 Honour thy father & mother; [this] is the first commandment with promise
(See also Proverbs 20:20; 23:22.)
C. The blessing of having obedient, wise children:
Proverbs 10:1a A wise son maketh a glad father
Proverbs 13:1a A wise son heareth his father’s instruction
Proverbs 23:15,16 Son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice
Proverbs 23:24,25 He that begetteth a wise child shall have joy
Proverbs 28:7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son
3John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth (See also 2John 4)
D. The grief of having disobedient, foolish children:
Proverbs 17:21 The father of a fool hath no joy
Proverbs 17:25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, & bitterness to her that bare him (his mother)
Proverbs 19:13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father
Proverbs 10:1b A foolish son is the heaviness of his mother
7. Loving instruction balanced with firm discipline:
A. Treat your children gently & in love:
Luke 1:17 He shall…turn hearts of the fathers to the children
Ephesians 6:4a Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath
Colossians 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged
1 Thessalonians 2:7 We were gentle…as a nurse cherisheth her children
Titus 2:4 Teach the young women…to love their childen
B. Patience, mercy & truth are the most effective:
Ephesians 6:4b Bring them up in the nurture & admonition of the Lord
1 Thessalonians 2:11 We exhorted & comforted & charged (testified to) every one of you, as a father doth his children
Romans 2:4 The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance
Proverbs 16:6 By mercy & truth iniquity is purged
C. Each child is different; seek God how to train & discipline:
Judges 13:12 How shall we order the child, & how shall we do?
(See also Luke 12:47,48 )
D. The Scriptural admonition to chastise naughty children:
Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes (promptly)
Proverbs 19:18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, & let not thy soul spare for his crying
Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him
Proverbs 23:13 Withhold not correction from the child
Proverbs 29:17 Correct thy son, & he shall give thee…delight
E. Responsible Christians required to restrain their children:
1 Timothy 3:4 That ruleth well his own house, having his children insubjection with all gravity
1 Timothy 3:12b Ruling their children & their own houses well
Titus 1:6 Blameless…having faithful children not…unruly
(See also Galatians 4:1,2)
F. When children are not corrected or restrained:
1 Samuel 2:22-25, I will judge his house…because his (Eli’s) sons made 3:13 themselves vile, & he restrained them not
1 Kings 1:1,5,6 His father had not displeased him at any time…saying, “Why hast thou done so?” (See also vs.16-21)
Proverbs 29:15b A child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame
Luke 15:12,13 [Father of the prodigal son gave him his share, & the son then went off & wasted it with riotous living]
G. Such a lack of discipline means a lack of fearing God:
1 Samuel 2:29,30 Wherefore kick ye at…Mine offering…& honourest thy sons above Me? (See the reason in1 Samuel 2:12-17 )
H. Even with right training, some children will go wrong:
1 Samuel 8:1-3,5a [Righteous Samuel’s sons became corrupt & covetous]
Mark 13:12,13 [In the last days, some backslidden children will betray their Christian parents–See also Matthew 24:10]
(See also Proverbs 2:16-18 )
I. Partiality & favouritism cause problems:
Genesis 25:27,28 Isaac loved Esau…but Rebekah loved Jacob [& helped Jacob deceive old father Isaac–Genesis 27:1-18]
Genesis 37:3,4 Israel loved Joseph more than all his children…when his brethren saw (it), they hated him
8. The growing years:
A. Be considerate of children’s limitations:
Genesis 33:12-14 The children are tender (young)…I will lead on softly according as the…children be able to endure
B. Growing up & maturing:
Isaiah 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? And…make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned
Hebrews 5:14 Strong meat (doctrine) belongeth to them…of full age
C. Becoming a teen, a young adult:
1 Corinthians 13:11 When I became a man, I put away childish things
Ephesians 4:14a That we henceforth be no more children
1 Corinthians 14:20 Be not children in understanding: in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men (mature)
D. Teen years: A time of dedication & commitment:
2 Chronicles 34:1-7 [Josiah, when 16 years old, sought God in earn est, dedicated his life to Him & zealously served Him]
Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth
1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in conversation, charity, faith
9. Children in God’s service:
A. Babies & small children touch unbelievers’ hearts:
Exodus 2:1-6,10 [Pharaoh’s daughter was touched by baby Moses, & she disobeyed Pharaoh’s order & saved him–Exodus 1:22]
B. Examples of young children serving God:
1 Samuel 2:11,18 Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child
Exodus 2:1-8 [Miriam, as a young child, watched out for her baby brother, Moses]
2 Kings 5:1-4 [The “little maid” witnesses to her heathen master about God’s power–See also vs.14,15a,17]
Daniel 1:17-20 [The four Hebrew children, full of God’s wisdom, counselled king Nebuchadnezzar]
C. Examples of older children & young teens serving God:
Jeremiah 1:4-9 [Teenage Jeremiah called to proclaim God’s Words]
1 Samuel 16:1,10-13 [David anointed to be king when just a teen] (See also 16:14-23; 17:32-37,49.)
Acts 23:12-24 [The apostle Paul’s teenage nephew saves his life]
D. Young men serving God in positions of responsibility:
Acts 16:1-3a [Paul chose young Timothy to be his helper & travelling companion] (See1 Timothy 4:12a )
E. If trained right, children will be a great blessing:
Psalms 127:4,5 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children…they shall speak (contend) with the enemies
Isaiah 8:18 I & the children…are for signs & for wonders
Matthew 18:5 Whoso shall receive one such little child in My name receiveth Me (See also Mark 9:36,37 )
F. God’s Spirit can even use small children to lead:
Isaiah 11:6b A little child shall lead them
G. Children proclaiming God’s praise:
Matthew 21:15,16 The children crying (out)…& saying, Hosanna! Out of the mouth of babes Thou hast perfected praise
Nehemiah 12:43 God made them rejoice…the children ( also ) rejoiced
Psalms 148:12,13 Children: Let them praise the name of the Lord
H. Dedicating your children to God’s service:
1 Samuel 1:28 I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord
10. Becoming like children:
A. You must have the faith of a child to be saved:
Matthew 18:3 Except ye be converted, & become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven
Matthew 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child…is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
Mark 10:15 Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein
B. In relation to God, we are children:
Deuteronomy 8:5 As a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee
1 Kings 3:7 [King Solomon told God:] I am but a little child
Psalms 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him
Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children
(See also Isaiah 63:15,16; Malachai 3:17; Galatians 4:3-7)
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