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Relation of Parents and Children

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Oct 15, 1914

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 43.

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Relation of Parents and Children

By F. M. BURG

F. M. BURG
1. WHERE did the “home” idea, with its ties of love and affection, have its origin? Gen. 2: 18.
2. How does God intend that husband and wife shall be related to each other? Gen. 2: 18; Eph. 5: 28, 33.
3. How does Solomon describe a woman who fills her place in the home? Prov. 31: 10-29.
4. What does such maternal devotion command from her husband and her children? Verse 28.
5. What is one of the most precious gifts from God to a husband and wife? Ps. 127: 3.
6. What is the proper attitude of children toward their parents? What respect should they show toward old age? Col. 3: 20; Prov. 23: 22; Lev. 19: 32.
7. Should parents require obedience from their children? Gen. 18: 19.
8. What result will follow the faithful discharge of this parental duty? Prov. 22: 6; 29: 17; 23: 13, 14.
9. What result may follow a failure in this respect on the part of parents? Prov. 29: 15.
10. What instruction is given to parents in the matter of administering correction to their children? Prov. 22: 15; 19: 18; 13: 24; Col. 3: 21.
11. What is said of disobedience among children in the last days? 2 Tim. 3: 2.
“Children need watchful care and guidance as never before; for Satan is striving to gain the control of their minds and hearts, and to drive out the Spirit of God. The fearful state of the youth of this age constitutes one of the strongest signs that we are living in the last days.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IV, page 199.
12. In what spirit and with what consideration should parents deal with their children?
“Children have sensitive, loving natures. They are easily pleased and easily made unhappy. By gentle discipline in loving words and acts, mothers may bind their children to their hearts. To manifest severity, and to be exacting with children, is a great mistake. Uniform firmness and unimpassioned control are necessary to the discipline of every family. Say what you mean calmly, move with consideration, and carry out what you say without deviation.
“It will pay to manifest affection in your association with your children. Do not repel them by lack of sympathy in their childish sports, joys, and griefs. Never let a frown gather upon your brow, nor a harsh word escape your lips. God writes all these words in his book of records. Harsh words sour the temper and wound the hearts of children, and in some cases these wounds are difficult to heal. Children are sensitive to the least injustice, and some become discouraged under it, and will neither heed the loud, angry voice of command, nor care for threatenings of punishment. Rebellion is too frequently established in the hearts of children through the wrong discipline of the parents, when if a proper course had been taken, the children would have formed good and harmonious characters.”—Id., Vol. III, page 532.