Includes pregnancy, the "right to life", childbirth, raising and training children
A. Children are a blessing from God:
Psa.127:3 - Children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is His reward
Gen.49:25 - God...shall bless thee with blessings of...the womb
Psa.113:9 - He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children
Psa.127:4,5 - As arrows...so are children...Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them
Psa.128:1,3 - Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine
Pro.17:6 - Children's children are the crown of old men
1Tim.5:14 - I will therefore that...women marry, bear children
(See also Gen.30:1; Deut.33:24; 1Sam.1:1-18; Lk.1:42.)
B. People do their part, but conception is still God's doing:
Gen.25:21 - Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren...and Rebekah his wife conceived
Gen.30:22,23 - God remembered Rachel...and opened her womb. And she conceived, and bare a son
1Sam.1:27 - For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me
Heb.2:13 - Behold I and the children which God hath given me
Lk.1:7,13 - Thy prayer is heard; and thy wife...shall bear thee a son
(See also Gen.29:31; 33:5; Judg.13:3; Psa.115:14.)
C. God is the One Who blesses women with pregnancy:
Gen.4:1 - Adam knew Eve...and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord
Gen.4:25 - Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son...God, said she, hath appointed me another seed
Ruth 4:13 - When (Boaz) went in unto (Ruth), the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son
(See also 1Sam.1:19,20)
D. It is God Who keeps some women from having children:
1Sam.1:5 - But the Lord had shut up (Hannah's) womb
(See also Gen.30:1,2)
E. In the Bible, it was considered a reproach not to have children:
(See Gen.20:17,18; 2Sam.6:23; Jer.22:30.)
A. God forms children in the womb:
Job 31:15 - Did not He that made me in the womb make him? And did not One fashion us in the womb?
Job 33:4 - The Spirit of God hath made me, and...given me life
Psa.71:5,6 - By Thee I have been holden up from the womb
Psa.139:14-16 - I am wonderfully made...in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned
(See also Isa.44:24a)
B. It is God Who gives life and a soul to unborn children:
Job 33:4 - The breath of the Almighty hath given me life
Gen.2:7 - God...breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul
Acts 17:25b - He giveth to all life, and breath
C. His care of children in the womb:
Psa.139:13 - Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb
Isa.40:11 - He...shall gently lead those that are with young
D. God loves and knows children, even before birth:
Psa.22:10 - I was cast upon Thee from the womb: Thou art my God from my mother's belly
Isa.49:1 - The Lord hath called me from the womb; from the (womb) hath He made mention of my name
Jer.1:5 - Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; before thou camest out of the womb I sanctified thee
Lk.1:13 - [Angel said:] Thy wife...shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John
A. Abortion is murder and infanticide:
Psa.106:38 - Shed innocent blood...of their sons and daughters
Deut.27:25 - Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent
Jer.2:34,35 - In thy skirts is found the blood...of poor innocents
Acts 7:19 - They cast out their young (literally: "newly-born or un born") children, to the end they might not live
2Tim.3:1-3 - In the last days...men [and women] shall be lovers of their selves...without natural affection (love)
B. Don't worry about overpopulating the earth:
Gen.1:28 - Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth
Jam.5:8b - For the coming of the Lord draweth nigh
C. God promises to take care of believers' children:
Psa.37:25 - I have been young and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread
Pro.11:21b - The seed of the righteous shall be delivered
Isa.65:23b - They are the seed of the blessed...and their offspring
(See also Psa.25:12,13; 102:28; 112:1,2; Pro.14:26; Phi.4:19.)
A. God's people often blessed with easy childbirth:
Exo.1:19 - The Hebrew women are...lively, and are delivered ere (before) the midwives come
Isa.66:7 - Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a child
B. God can help in the delivery:
Psa.22:9a - Thou art He that took me out of the womb
Psa.71:6 - Thou art He that took me out of my mother's bowels
Isa.46:3 - (They) are borne by Me from the belly...from the womb
C. Promises to claim during long labour:
Isa.65:23 - They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed
Isa.66:9 - Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb?
Jn.16:21 - As soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born
Heb.11:11 - Through faith Sara...was delivered of a child...because she judged Him faithful Who had promised
D. Promises for strength:
Isa.40:29-31 - He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength...renew their strength
Isa.41:10 - Be not dismayed...I will strengthen thee
E. Conditions for claiming God's promises:
Dan.6:16b - God Whom thou servest continually, will deliver thee
1Tim.2:15 - She shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity (love)
Judg.13:8 - Teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born
A. God's care of young children:
Mat.18:10 - In Heaven their angels always behold the face of (God)
1Cor.7:14 - [Even if only one parent is a believer, the children are sanctified by God]
B. Their early training will guide them all through life:
Pro.22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it
C. Give the care and training of your children priority:
Mk.7:27 - Let the children first be filled
3Jn.4 - I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth
D. If you neglect them for other things, you'll both suffer:
Pro.29:15b - A child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame
1Ki.20:40a - As (I) was busy (with other things) here and there, he was gone (See also Mat.23:23b)
E. You should teach your children the Word:
Deut.6:6,7 - These Words...teach them diligently unto thy children
Deut.11:18-20 - Lay up these My Words in your heart and in your soul...and teach them (to) your children
Isa.38:19b - The father to the children shall make known Thy truth
Joel 1:3 - Tell ye your children...and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation
Jn.21:15 - Lovest thou Me more than these? Feed My lambs
2Tim.3:15 - From a child (infancy) thou hast known the Scriptures
(See also Deut.31:12,13; Psa.78:1-6; 1Jn.2:13.)
F. Teach your children to trust in God:
Psa.22:9b - Thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts
Psa.34:11 - Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear (reverence) of the Lord
Psa.78:6,7 - Declare them to [your] children: that they might set their hope in God
Acts 2:39 - For the promise is unto you, and to your children
Heb.2:13 - I will put my trust in Him...I and the children
G. Lead them to receive Jesus:
Mk.10:14 - Suffer (allow) the little children to come unto Me
Gal.4:19 - My little children, of whom I travail in birth...until Christ be formed in you
1Jn.2:12 - I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake
H. God's Word teaches them how to have eternal life:
Jn.5:39 - Search the Scriptures; in them...ye have eternal life
2Tim.3:15 - Scriptures...are able to make thee wise unto salvation
I. Only God can teach life's most important lessons:
Psa.25:5 - Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art...God
Pro.8:32,33 - Hearken unto Me, O ye children...keep My ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not
Isa.54:13 - All thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be peace of thy children (See also Jn.6:45)
1Cor.2:13 - We speak...words...which the Holy Ghost teacheth
J. Children worshipping with their parents:
Josh.8:35 - ["Little ones" listen to Bible reading with parents]
2Chr.20:13 - [Children included in serious prayer meeting]
(See also Joel 2:12,15,16)
A. Children are to obey their parents:
Pro.1:8,9 - My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and...mother
Eph.6:1 - Children, obey your parents in the Lord: this is right
Col.3:20 - Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord
B. Children are to honour and reverence their parents:
Exo.20:12 - Honour thy father and mother: that thy days may be long
Lev.19:3 - Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father
Eph.6:2 - Honour thy father and mother; [this] is the first commandment with promise
(See also Pro.20:20; 23:22.)
C. The blessing of having obedient, wise children:
Pro.10:1a - A wise son maketh a glad father
Pro.13:1a - A wise son heareth his father's instruction
Pro.23:15,16 - Son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice
Pro.23:24,25 - He that begetteth a wise child shall have joy
Pro.28:7 - Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son
3Jn.4 - I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth (See also 2Jn.4)
D. The grief of having disobedient, foolish children:
Pro.17:21 - The father of a fool hath no joy
Pro.17:25 - A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him (his mother)
Pro.19:13 - A foolish son is the calamity of his father
Pro.10:1b - A foolish son is the heaviness of his mother
A. Treat your children gently and in love:
Lk.1:17 - He shall...turn hearts of the fathers to the children
Eph.6:4a - Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath
Col.3:21 - Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged
1Thes.2:7 - We were gentle...as a nurse cherisheth her children
Tit.2:4 - Teach the young women...to love their childen
B. Patience, mercy and truth are the most effective:
Eph.6:4b - Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord
1Thes.2:11 - We exhorted and comforted and charged (testified to) every one of you, as a father doth his children
Rom.2:4 - The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance
Pro.16:6 - By mercy and truth iniquity is purged
C. Each child is different; seek God how to train and discipline:
Judg.13:12 - How shall we order the child, and how shall we do?
(See also Lk.12:47,48)
D. The Scriptural admonition to chastise naughty children:
Pro.13:24 - He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes (promptly)
Pro.19:18 - Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying
Pro.22:15 - Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him
Pro.23:13 - Withhold not correction from the child
Pro.29:17 - Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest...delight
E. Responsible Christians required to restrain their children:
1Tim.3:4 - That ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity
1Tim.3:12b - Ruling their children and their own houses well
Tit.1:6 - Blameless...having faithful children not...unruly
(See also Gal.4:1,2)
F. When children are not corrected or restrained:
1Sam.2:22-25, I will judge his house...because his (Eli's) sons made
3:13 - themselves vile, and he restrained them not
1Ki.1:1,5,6 - His father had not displeased him at any time...saying, "Why hast thou done so?" (See also vs. 16-21)
Pro.29:15b - A child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame
Lk.15:12,13 - [Father of the prodigal son gave him his share, and the son then went off and wasted it with riotous living]
G. Such a lack of discipline means a lack of fearing God:
1Sam.2:29,30 - Wherefore kick ye at...Mine offering...and honourest thy sons above Me? (See the reason in 1Sam.2:12-17)
H. Even with right training, some children will go wrong:
1Sam.8:1-3,5a - [Righteous Samuel's sons became corrupt and covetous]
Mk.13:12,13 - [In the last days, some backslidden children will betray their Christian parents See also Mat.24:10]
(See also Pro.2:16-18)
I. Partiality and favouritism cause problems:
Gen.25:27,28 - Isaac loved Esau...but Rebekah loved Jacob [and helped Jacob deceive old father Isaac Gen.27:1-18]
Gen.37:3,4 - Israel loved Joseph more than all his children...when his brethren saw (it), they hated him
A. Be considerate of children's limitations:
Gen.33:12-14 - The children are tender (young)...I will lead on softly according as the...children be able to endure
B. Growing up and maturing:
Isa.28:9 - Whom shall he teach knowledge? And...make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned
Heb.5:14 - Strong meat (doctrine) belongeth to them...of full age
C. Becoming a teen, a young adult:
1Cor.13:11 - When I became a man, I put away childish things
Eph.4:14a - That we henceforth be no more children
1Cor.14:20 - Be not children in understanding: in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men (mature)
D. Teen years: A time of dedication and commitment:
2Chr.34:1-7 - [Josiah, when 16 years old, sought God in earn est, dedicated his life to Him and zealously served Him]
Eccl.12:1 - Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth
1Tim.4:12 - Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in conversation, charity, faith
A. Babies and small children touch unbelievers' hearts:
Exo.2:1-6,10 - [Pharaoh's daughter was touched by baby Moses, and she disobeyed Pharaoh's order and saved him Exo.1:22]
B. Examples of young children serving God:
1Sam.2:11,18 - Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child
Exo.2:1-8 - [Miriam, as a young child, watched out for her baby brother, Moses]
2Ki.5:1-4 - [The "little maid" witnesses to her heathen master about God's power See also vs. 14,15a,17]
Dan.1:17-20 - [The four Hebrew children, full of God's wisdom, counselled king Nebuchadnezzar]
C. Examples of older children and young teens serving God:
Jer.1:4-9 - [Teenage Jeremiah called to proclaim God's Words]
1Sam.16:1,10-13 - [David anointed to be king when just a teen] (See also 16:14-23; 17:32-37,49.)
Acts 23:12-24 - [The apostle Paul's teenage nephew saves his life]
D. Young men serving God in positions of responsibility:
Acts 16:1-3a - [Paul chose young Timothy to be his helper and travelling companion] (See 1Tim.4:12a)
E. If trained right, children will be a great blessing:
Psa.127:4,5 - As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children...they shall speak (contend) with the enemies
Isa.8:18 - I and the children...are for signs and for wonders
Mat.18:5 - Whoso shall receive one such little child in My name receiveth Me (See also Mk.9:36,37)
F. God's Spirit can even use small children to lead:
Isa.11:6b - A little child shall lead them
G. Children proclaiming God's praise:
Mat.21:15,16 - The children crying (out)...and saying, Hosanna! Out of the mouth of babes Thou hast perfected praise
Neh.12:43 - God made them rejoice...the children (also) rejoiced
Psa.148:12,13 - Children: Let them praise the name of the Lord
H. Dedicating your children to God's service:
1Sam.1:28 - I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord
A. You must have the faith of a child to be saved:
Mat.18:3 - Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven
Mat.18:4 - Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child...is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
Mk.10:15 - Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein
B. In relation to God, we are children:
Deut.8:5 - As a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee
1Ki.3:7 - [King Solomon told God:] I am but a little child
Psa.103:13 - Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him
Eph.5:1 - Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children
(See also Isa.63:15,16; Mal.3:17; Gal.4:3-7.)