Magyar Egyház, 1971 (50. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1971-12-01 / 12. szám
12 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ PARENTS: TEACH YOUR CHILDREN! “And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thy heart; and thou shalt talk of them, when thou sittest in thy house and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down and risest up...” Deut. 6:6-7. Today in our modern age, people acquire strange ideas. Those who live on welfare in big cities and metropolitan areas expect the government to pay their rent and food hills and often their medical expenses. 1 will never forget the experience of a teacher, who told me the following story. The children were playing a little rough and the glasses of one child fell to the ground and was broken. The teacher knowing how expensive glasses are asked: ‘"what will happen now?" “Nothing” was the answer, “I don't have to pay for it, the welfare will buy me another pair.” Th e same attitude prevails in America today, that people do not have to work, they can get money easily. Now, this situation is getting out-of-hand. Cities and our government spend so much on such people, that decent tax-paying, hard working citizens hardly can hear the burdens. You must have heard complaints, why people do not go to church. Because, they say “what good does the church do for them?” To such Christians it is timely to remember, that the question is, “not what the church can do for you” hut “what did you do for your church?” Did you pray for it? Did you offer vour assistance in anv program of your congregation? For we all must do something in order to make our church a successful body of believers. Concerning parents and children the same prevails. What do parents owe their children, or what do children owe their parents? The fact is, that parents do have a number of obligations to their children. 1.) The first one the Bible mentions is "to teach your children!” The public schools have opened, and all other educational facilities teach our young people, where they can learn many useful things to be prepared for life. Indeed, all schools and universities teach our children the necessary subjects, but they never teach them the word of God. A little prayer, a little religion and a little reading of the Scripture was tolerated until a few years ago, but now, all these are cast out and our schools teach everything under the sun, but religion. .. Therefore, more than ever before, this is the full responsibility of the parents. The Bible says: “These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thy heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children!” Let us be honest and admit that America has slowly and gradually slipped from the foundation of the Pilgrim Fathers. The leaders of our nation are no longer as dedicated as were those who formulated the Mayflower Compact, and desired, that this country should always adhere to the word of God. Judges, who sit in high positions interpret the law as they wish, often contrary to the teachings of the Bible. They see nothing wrong in the filth of pornography ruining the lives of our youth today. So, do you think, that when evil and sin are so rampant, it is easy for Christian parents to teach their children. Nevertheless it is their sacred responsibility; first, to teach them the Word of God. 2.) 1 have seen parents, who were very happy, when their children learned how to read and write before they went to school. How happy are those parents, whose children learned to pray and tell the stories of the Bible, before they went to school. The time is not mentioned, when you should start teaching your children, but the sooner you do, the better! Then, again, the Bible says: “talk to your children, when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way! Teach your children, when you lay down your weary head for rest, and when you rise early in the morning!” Otherwise, this means, teach them the commandments of God always. For no matter how hard you try, children have a tendency to forget, teach, teach, and teach... Ask professional teachers, how much labor and work must go into their efforts and how easily children forget! 3.1 So, if you keep the responsibility of teaching your children about God, when you sit down and when you walk, and you realize, how difficult it is to keep this commandment of God; what do you do? If you cannot teach your children ENOUGH, bring them when you come to church, in the house of God train them to sit patiently and listen to the message of our Savior Sunday by Sunday, they will learn a little and grow a little. Oh, how glad God is in Heaven, when He looks down and sees young happy mothers in church witli their tiny little children. Even if they do not understand the preaching, they understand one thing, that their mother loves God and Church. Send or bring your children to Sunday School. Vacation Bible School, Confirmation Classes, so thev can grow in grace and knowledge of our Savior. Are you willing to bring sacrifices so your teenager should attend Youth Fellowship meetings? As good Christians you should never be satisfied
