The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1942-11-05
Sunday School
Lesson In Brief
By REV. B. A. MEEKS

Subject: Christian Nurture in
the Family"
Bible Passage: Deuteronomy
6:4-9, 20-25; II Timothy 3:14, Is
Golden Text: Train up a child
in the way he should 60: and
when he is old. he will not depart
from it."-ProverbS 22:6.
The most urgent need in our
day is for a greatly increased
number of fathers and mothers
endeavoring to make their home
definitely Christian. There IS a
crying need for more homes
where Christ is given not only
a place, but given the pre-emi-
nence; homes where the Bible is
read and prayer offered daily.
Nothing would so greatly add to
the security and stability of the
home life of America, the security
and stability of business and in
dustry, the security and stability
of government as an enlarged
number of definitely Christian
homes. No part of civilization is
to be imbued with these enduring
qualities apart from the home life.
Christian nurture in large
measure is the responsibility of
the parents. This responsibility
cannot be shifted to the church.
The church can assist the parents
| in meeting their responsibility to
their children, but cannot take
their place. Parents are to pro-
vide the environment or atmos-
phere for family worship. The
home is the first and primary
unit of society, a miniature world
where parents are held response
BILE for the conduct of its citizens.
It is right that fathers and mothers
be responsible for what their
children do and become. For
children are under the influence
of the home before they come in
contact with the church, the
school or any other institution.
During this period the child learns
to walk, to talk and to adjust
itself to the routine of the home.
In addition thereto, the child is
under the influence of the home
for a greater period of time than
any of the other institutions con-
cerned with character building.
Every child should have the
advantage of a definite Christian
environment in the home. And
the Bible places this responsibility
on the parents. "And these words,
which I command thee this day,
shalt be in thine heart: and thou
shalt teach them diligently unto
thy children" Deuteronomy g.
Is, }. This teaching is best done
by both precept and example
Children learn more by example
than by precept They learn to
talk by observation. Often times
parents are embarrassed to hear
their children so accurately imi-
tate them not only in. words used,
but the very tone and infection
of the voice. Hon sty, truthful
ness, sincerity, love for one an
other, love for God and loyalty
to religious duties are more eff
fectively taught by example
than by exhortation. The early
thoughts and impressions of child
rem have such a marked influence
in the forming of habits and the
building of character that parents
cannot afford to neglect anything
which makes for a we'll rounded
personality.
Many homes do not have any
formal expression of their reli-
gious faith. There is no outward
depression to indicate recognition
of God to whom obedience and
honor are due. No time is set
aside for Bible reading and family
prayer. Often time God is not
even acknowledged at meal time
by offering up thanks to Him as
the giver of every good and per-
feet gift. This lack of formal ex-
profession of religious faith on the
part of parents is probably due