What has happened to home instruction about God, Jesus Christ, the coming kingdom, and obedience to God’s commands? Sadly, the answer lies with parents who do not take time with their children. Either they forget that raising their children in a Godly environment is their responsibility, or they don’t realize it’s their job or, even worse, they don’t care.
TV and video games
In recent Bible schools and in Sunday school, it has become obvious that many of our children are wrapped up in worldly living. We feel this is due to continual exposure to television and video games. Children can recite a hundred different commercials, tell you what is on channel six at 8 o’clock Wednesday night and tell you all about the latest Nintendo game.
But these same children do not do memory verses and can’t tell you what is in Genesis. This may seem exaggerated to some; but, sad to say, it is simply stating the truth.
Trying to teach Sunday school for one hour is a very difficult task. The actual lesson is easy to give; the difficult part is that the children have trouble paying attention without all the visuals and sound effects. Another problem is that the teacher’s material will be called “boring” by most of the children. The problem is not usually with the teacher. In most cases, the difficulty is that bright colors are not flashing two feet in front of the children, violence is not glamorized and every third line is not a joke to be laughed at.
TV and video games have become real competition for those trying to instruct children in the Bible. It is hard to occupy a child who is accustomed to sitting in front of a screen because what we say is not bright enough, fast enough or exciting enough.
What TV teaches
When you think about it, what do God’s children really learn from TV? In a few minutes of TV, a child can watch violence, anger without a cause, filthy communication, disobedience, adultery, and a host of other sins. They do not have to look hard for such subjects because most shows are filled with these very things. While a small percentage may have some redeeming features, the majority (and the majority is what God’s children are watching most of the time) are glorifying patterns of conduct that are fatal if our children imitate them. This being true, our children — really God’s children — are learning things God clearly stated are not to be practiced (see Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:3-5; Col. 3:8-9). Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Who is teaching them what God wants them to learn?
You may wonder how we know TV is a major part of a child’s life. The answer is that what is in a person’s head comes out their mouth and this is what comes out of the mouth of our children.
The parents’ job
Parents are supposed to bring their children up in the admonition of the Lord so that their children will also have a chance for the coming kingdom. Eph. 6:4 reads: “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” To “nurture” means to provide nourishment, education, training, care. “Admonition” means to give friendly reproof or warning. Thus, parents must make the home a place where they teach about our heavenly Father and where they warn children about the Truth.
Since many of the children we know are so limited in their Bible knowledge, it is clear that parents are responsible for their lack of Bible understanding. Children cannot answer questions about basic Bible principles or about important Bible stories. We can’t blame the children! Parents are responsible for the teaching of God’s children. Instead, parents are sticking their children in front of a TV screen to get them out of their hair. TV and video games have turned into the babysitter and teacher of this generation. Deut. 6:5-7 is just as valid today as when it was given: “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” We must always talk to and teach our children about God’s commandments, just like the Israelites were supposed to do.
God’s children
Why do we keep using the expression, “God’s children?” The answer is simple. Our children were given to us by God and nothing we have is ours. God gave us everything and we should give Him something in return. Teach His children about their Father in heaven, His Son, His promises, His principles and His kingdom to come.
If Christ was in the room with our children, would he turn on the TV? No! He would undoubtedly sit the children down and tell them all about his Father. We must do the same, filling the open and inquisitive minds of our children with Scriptural things.
Reaping what we sow
Sometimes we wonder why our children don’t want to go to CYC, Sunday school or meetings. The answer is simple, all their lives we allow TV to fill their little minds with worldly lusts. Then, when they are of an age to be baptized and become more serious, we want them to be opposite people to what they have been taught.
Parents, it is up to us to realize the seriousness of our responsibilities. We must monitor the TV, video games and movies and then sit down and talk about God to our children. The rewards will be infinite — if only we will take the time now.
If we don’t take the time or don’t care about our children, we should not be surprised if we reap what we have sown. Parents, whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, teach the children to think on these things.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One