Of Marriage & Family

Children and Parental Responsibility

Confessional Text

Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord¹⁰⁷. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God's pattern for marriage. Parents are to protect, provide for, delight in, disciple and discipline them to make choices based on biblical truth¹⁰⁸. Children are to honor and obey their parents in the Lord¹⁰⁹.

Scriptural References

[107]

Psalm 127:3

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward

[108]

Ephesians 6:1-4

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord

[109]

Ephesians 6:1-4

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right

All scripture quotations are from the ESV (English Standard Version).

Historical & Theological Background

Historic Christianity has always affirmed the sanctity of life from conception and the God-given responsibility of parents to raise children in the faith. The Reformers emphasized catechizing children and teaching them Scripture from a young age. Parents, not the state or the church, bear primary responsibility for their children's spiritual formation. Children are a blessing, not a burden, and are to be received with gratitude. The Fifth Commandment establishes children's duty to honor and obey parents.

African Contextual Commentary

In African contexts where children are highly valued but also where child neglect, abuse, or exploitation occurs, this statement provides biblical balance. Children are a blessing from God, not economic assets or burdens. African parents must provide not just material needs but spiritual discipleship, teaching children God's Word and modeling godly living. This also confronts the prosperity gospel's tendency to view children primarily as "blessings" in a material sense, or traditional views that see children mainly as continuation of family lineage. Parents are stewards entrusted with precious souls, responsible to raise them for God's glory. Additionally, in cultures where harsh authoritarianism or permissiveness are common, biblical discipline—firm, loving, instructive—provides the wise middle path.