Teach Your Children Well

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.   1 Timothy 3:14-15

In the baptismal rite in Lutheran Worship, sponsors pledged to support the parents in the teaching of the faith in the home and that the Holy Scriptures are placed into the hands of children.  In bringing children to the baptismal font, parents and godparents vow to provide for the further instruction of the faith that follows after baptism.  Our prayer is that every congregation has process for how parents are assisted in that God-given responsibility.  Visits from pastors and elders to explain how parents can teach the faith to children throughout the years.  The marking of baptismal birthdays and providing teaching resources for the home such as Children’s Bibles, My First Catechism and My First Hymnal (from Concordia Publishing House) can be great ways to assist parents in this task.

During this Easter season, it is a fitting time to put children in mind of their baptism as a we continue to celebrate our Lord’s victory over death and the grave and our union with Him through the baptismal waters.  The most important thing that parents can do for their children is to continue to fill them with Jesus, by bringing them to the services of God’s house and passing on the faith by teaching God’s Word in the home.

Being faithful parents is ultimately not about providing the latest technology or the greatest experiences to our children.  Parents are sent by God to bring their children to Jesus in baptism and to continue bringing Jesus to their children as they teach the faith in the home.  Congregations do not have to have lots of programs or even kids to help.  All congregations have to do is to support parents by helping them to understand their calling as parents and give them the tools they need (God’s Word, hymnal and catechism) and then show them how to use those tools.  May God bless our congregations and our families as parents pass on Christ to their children.

Prayer - Almighty and most merciful God and Father, we thank and praise You that You graciously preserve and enlarge your family.  Let all parents ever rejoice in the gift you have given them through their children.  Enable them to be teachers and examples of righteousness for their children.  Strengthen them in their own baptism that they may share eternally with their children the salvation You have given them; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

Fraternally in Christ,
President Lee Hagan