I.        INTRODUCTION

A.      Psalm 127:3 states, “Children are a gift of the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a reward.”

                                                             1.      Some translations of this verse use the word “heritage” rather than “gift,” which gives the meaning that children are received as an inheritance from God.

                                                             2.      This statement allows us to see yet another way in which God created us in His image (Gen. 1:26), for our heavenly Father blesses His children to become fathers and mothers of their own children.

B.      As we study a child’s place in the home in this lesson of the series “Building a God-Centered Home,” let us appreciate that there are messages for both parents and children in Psalm 127:3.

                                                             1.      Obviously, parents have the responsibility of treasuring the gift of God’s inheritance that they have received in their children.

                                                             2.      Yet children, who are gifts from God, also have the responsibility of making themselves to be the joyous gifts that God intended for their parents.

II.      THE JOY OF CHILDREN

A.      Because children are a gift from God, they should be received into the home with great joy.

                                                             1.      The Scriptures are filled with messages and examples of the joy and blessing of having children.

a.       Consider the example of Abraham, who received the promises of God.  God blessed Abraham through many channels, but it was through his children and descendants that Abraham was ultimately blessed.

b.       Consider the example of Hannah, who gave a prayer of praise for God after He blessed her with a son, Samuel (1Sam. 2:1-10).  Mary spoke a similar message after she had conceived the child Jesus (Luke 1:46-55).

c.        Often in the Scriptures, the gift of children is a measure of prosperity and blessing for men and women (Gen. 33:5; Job 42:16; Psa. 113:9; 127:4-5; 128; Prov. 17:6; Isa. 53:10).

d.       For the joy of children, a woman will even sacrifice her body in suffering (John 16:21).  There are many Bible examples of barren women who rejoiced when God blessed them with children: Sarah (Gen. 11:30; 21:1-2, 6-7), Rebekah (Gen. 25:21), Rachel (Gen. 29:31; 30:1-2, 22-24), Hannah (1Sam. 1:2, 10-11, 17), Elizabeth (Luke 1:7, 14, 36-37).

                                                             2.      Therefore, no one should regard the gift of children as a loathsome burden.

a.       Few things can turn a home upside-down like the addition of children.

i.         Without a God-centered mindset, new parents can be overwhelmed, and a marriage can be damaged.

ii.        Yet God-centered parents see the additional responsibilities of children as a blessed stewardship from God for which God will provide all that is needed.

b.       Parents should count their blessings, for there are many who never know the joy of a home that is so affected by children.

B.      The joy of parents for their children must translate into gratitude, love, and responsibility.

                                                             1.      Above, we noticed Psalm 127:3, but let us also notice verses 4-5 – “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.  How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.”

                                                             2.      It is not enough to experience the joy of having children.  Parents must make their joy complete by aiming their children in the way they should go (Prov. 22:6; see the previous lessons for fathers and mothers).

III.   “LET YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER BE GLAD”

A.      While it is the parents’ God-given responsibility to give the correct direction to children, it is a child’s responsibility to fulfill his parents’ joy by following God’s will.

                                                             1.      Every child is different, and maturity comes with age, but every child is capable of serving God.

                                                             2.      Adults and parents too often have low spiritual expectations of children, or they are slow to recognize a child’s capabilities.  Consider what a child can do in God’s service:

a.       A child can glorify God.

i.         When the Lord made His final entrance into Jerusalem, the temple was filled with children shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matt. 21:15-16).

ii.        Likewise, all children can learn to praise God for all of His goodness and kindness toward them.

b.       A child can worship.

i.         When Samuel was very young (just weaned), his mother took him to the house of the LORD where he worshipped God (1Sam. 1:25-28).

ii.        Today, children in the home and in God’s house (the church, 1Tim. 3:15) are able to worship, even the very young ones.  Parents need to guide them in this.

c.        A child can learn the Bible.

i.         Paul wrote to Timothy, “…from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2Tim. 3:15).

ii.        Often parents expect children to learn difficult subjects in school but consider them incapable of learning the Bible.  Children can learn the Bible just as Timothy did in his childhood if someone will teach them.

d.       A child can be God-centered.

i.         Solomon wrote, “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth…” (Eccl. 12:1).

ii.        Rather than “sowing wild oats,” a child should be mindful of God in all that he does.  Parents should constantly put their children in mind of God.

B.      A child also has the responsibility to honor his parents in the home.

                                                             1.      The fifth commandment among the Ten Commandments is, “Honor your father and mother…” (Ex. 20:12).  While the Law of Moses is not binding today, this commandment is repeated several times in the New Testament.

                                                             2.      One of the Scriptures that sites this commandment is Ephesians 6:1-3.

a.       Verse 1 tells how children who live in their parents’ home shall honor their parents: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”

i.          To obey one’s parents is not only to honor them but it is also to honor God (Col. 3:20).  Such obedience honors the order that God has created for the home.

ii.        Disobedience to parents was such a disgraceful wrong under the Law of Moses that a son could be stoned to death for it (Deut. 21:18-21).  Disobedience to parents is also classified with some of the wickedest traits of the godless Gentiles (Rom. 1:28-32).

b.       In this passage, Paul notes that the commandment to honor one’s parents is the “first commandment with a promise” (v. 2).

i.         The promise is “that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth” (v. 3; see also Prov. 4:10-13; Heb. 12:5-11).

ii.        Learning obedience to one’s parents in the home teaches one to survive in the world.  From his parents, a child learns skills he needs to live, and he learns to respect and honor all authority, especially God’s authority.  These things will serve him well.

                                                             3.      The honor that a child is to learn for his parents in his home is to continue throughout his life.

a.       Although a man is to “leave his father and mother,” “cleave to his wife” (Gen. 2:24), and begin his own home, he is to honor his parents for all of his life.

i.         An adult does not continue in submission to his parents as if he is a child, but he must always honor them.

ii.        This requires an adult to provide for his parents if they become incapable of caring for themselves (Matt. 15:3-6; John 19:27; 1Tim. 5:4, 8).  If this becomes necessary, parent and child may live in the same home again.

b.       A child is to continue to observe the teachings of his mother and his father throughout his life, thus continually honoring his parents (Prov. 1:8-9; 6:20-22; 23:22-25)

i.         A child’s behavior reflects upon his parents.  Therefore, good behavior does much to honor them, but wickedness brings them disgrace.

ii.        See Proverbs 10:1, 5; 13:1; 15:20; 17:21, 25; 19:13, 26; 27:11; 28:7.

C.      Therefore, let all children make themselves gifts and blessings in the home by honoring their parents and by honoring God.  Consider Proverbs 23:24-25.

        The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice,

                                        And he who sires a wise son will be glad in him.

                                        Let your father and your mother be glad,

                                        And let her rejoice who gave birth to you.