RAISING THEM BY THE BOOK

Text---2 Timothy 3:16

When I was a little boy a book came out that forever changed the landscape of parenting. It was written by a fellow by the name of Spock----Dr. Spock. Parents grabbed that book up like potato chips and gobbled up every word the good doctor had to say.

Well, I was probably partly raised by that book but I was also raised by another book, a much more important book. This is one book we dare not neglect if we expect to raise Godly children in an ungodly world.

I am speaking of course of the Bible, God's holy word. I want to propose to you something that I believe with all of my heart. I believe that our country is on the road to hell because we have stopped raising children by the book. Sad to say, many kids in our country have not even seen the book. If they do happen to catch a glimpse of the bible the dust on it serves to remind them that it must not be very important because Mom and Dad never pick it up.

I want to talk a little today about raising kids by the book. The bible has some very important things to say about itself and each of the statements we will see in our text today relate directly to something the bible has to say about raising children. This just serves to remind us that we dare not even attempt to raise children without frequently referring to the premier book on child rearing---the bible.

As we look at the text today we see that the bible is useful for several things and that each of these points relates directly to raising children.

ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD AND IS PROFITABLE FOR:

I. DOCTRINE

Just the sound of that word kind of scares us. I don't know why, but it does. If it doesn't scare us it sends us into a fit of boredom.

In its simplest rendering the word doctrine means "instruction".

1319 didaskalia (did-as-kal-ee'-ah); from 1320; instruction (the function or the information):

I am reminded of the admonition concerning teaching our children in Deuteronomy 6:1-9

It is our responsibility as parents to teach our children about God. I believe there are those in our society who have their own agenda which is contrary to God and the eternal, absolute truths from His word. If we don't arm our children against their assault they will grow up without any knowledge of God and a system of values that says, "If it is right for you then it is right." The chorus to that refrain is, "If it feels good, do it."

Folks, only the bible is profitable for doctrine.

II. REPROOF

The dictionary defines this little-used word as "an expression of criticism and censure." Reproof is being convicted and convinced when we are wrong about something. Did you know that it is no longer politically correct to tell somebody they are wrong. The mind set of society today is, "Who are you to tell me I am wrong!"

The teacher in the average public school often pays a high price for exercising a little reproof in the classroom. Teachers are often faced with a parent who storms angrily into their classroom because they reproved their child.

If we as parents will do some reproving from the word of God with our children they will learn there is behavior that is unacceptable to their heavenly Father. His word is quick and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword. It convinces us of our wrongness when we have gone astray. In it is absolute truth that never changes. The values it teaches us and our children don't ebb and flow with the whims of society. Because God is the same yesterday, today and forever His word abides forever (Malachi 3:6, Matthew 24:35).

Luke carries this to the extreme when he says "And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle (dotted "i" or crossed "t") of the law to fail (Luke 16:17). God's word is profitable for reproof; it will not fail you.

III. CORRECTION

1882 epanorthosis (ep-an-or'-tho-sis); from a compound of 1909 and 461; a straighteningup again, i.e. (figuratively) rectification (reformation):

Not too many years ago I fell off the ladder in the barn and caught myself with my thumb. That is not a good idea and I would not recommend it to anybody. I went to the orthopedic doctor and he took a casual glance at it and said, "It's OK, nothing's broken". Well, here is the result of his wonderful diagnosis. My thumb is the way it is because the damage caused by the fall was not corrected. It was not straightened.

It is the same way with us and with our children. The damage caused by the fall must be corrected. When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden sin came into the world. Each child is born with a sinful nature and will eventually exert his will against the will of his parents and God. This has to be corrected; the child has to be straightened.

Another meaning of the word that is translated as "correction" is "reformation". This simply means to form again. It is exactly what Jesus said to Nicodemus when He told him that he must be born again (John 3:3). We must be reformed by Jesus Christ if we are ever going to see the kingdom of God. The bible is that indispensable tool that we use to lead our children toward faith in Jesus Christ. It is their "reform school".

The bible is profitable for correction.

IV. INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS

instruction---3809 paideia (pahee-di'-ah); from 3811; tutorage, i.e. education or training;by implication, disciplinary correction:

righteousness---1343 dikaiosune (dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay); from 1342; equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification:

Putting these two word together we get: "training in how to think and how to act". This certainly addresses the character question and I want to remind you today that character does count. It is very clear today that many of the people that are leading our nation at the highest levels have never had instruction in righteousness.

The text concludes with this statement: "that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." Folks are using extreme measures to have perfect kids. Their are people who are advertising in college papers, offering to pay young, athletic, intelligent female students for their eggs so they can, by the process of artificial insemination, have and raise the perfect child. I don't have to tell you how absolutely sick that is.

The perfect child is not the one who gets straight "A's", or who is drop-dead gorgeous, or who is the star athlete of the local high school. The word "perfect" in the text today means "complete". A child who has not been raised by the "book" will never be whole.

Our job as parents is to thoroughly furnish our children for every good work. If we do, they will spend a lifetime laying up treasures in heaven and we will have succeeded as parents.