Parents... Don't Pass the Buck!
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
“He is a bad preacher who does not commence his ministry at home.” – C.H. Spurgeon
Our three children attended public schools from K-8, after which their educational paths differed. Bethany graduated from a public school, but then obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from a Christian college, Liberty University. Matt attended public school through 9th grade, before transferring to Baptist High School and then matriculating from Liberty like his older sister. As for Chris, he went to Baptist High for five years before enrolling at Liberty for one semester, transferring to Camden County College on an academic scholarship, and then finishing up at Indian River State College.
So, who gets the credit for educating our children: the public school system or Christian schools and universities? Actually, their primary education came at home where Deanna and I tried our best to show them love and teach them manners, discipline, and personal responsibility. We also made sure to live our Christian faith “out loud” so that they would each come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ… which they all did at age 4.
As Charles Spurgeon, the “Prince of Preachers”, put it…
“To teach our children is a personal duty; we cannot delegate it to Sunday school teachers or other friendly helpers. These can assist us but cannot deliver us from the sacred obligation… Mothers and fathers must, like Abraham, command their households in the fear of God and talk with their offspring concerning the wondrous works of the Most High.”
My friend, refuse to “pass the buck” when it comes to your children’s (and grandchildren’s) spiritual education. It is your responsibility – and yours alone – to see that they are raised up in the “training and admonition of the Lord” (see Ephesians 6:4).
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
