The RenewaNation Review 2020 The Collingsworth Family Special Edition | Page 41
“Children of all ages need to be
taught the meaning of marriage,
the role of husband and wife, and
what to look for in a future spouse.”
about what is good, right, true, and noble about marriage,
dating, and purity. At worst, they are set on a trajectory
away from Christ.
Parents who spend most of their time talking about the
body’s biological functions and changes in puberty are
addressing helpful subjects but missing the most impor-
tant topics. What cultural messages must parents be aware
of? Three examples include the redefinition of marriage,
rejection of gender differences, and sexual exploration as
a rite of passage.
Plenty of children—possibly your own—are in danger
of embracing our culture’s powerful messages even as they
seek to follow Christ. With proper training, our children
can be Bible-believing Christians who are spiritual salmon,
swimming against the current of culture.
2. TEACH BIBLICAL TRUTH
Children of all ages need to be taught the meaning of
marriage, the role of husband and wife, and what to look for
in a future spouse. How children are taught will differ based
on age, but God’s message does not change.
THREE WAYS PARENTS CAN TALK WITH CHILDREN
ABOUT GOD’S DESIGN FOR MARRIAGE
1. UNDERSTAND THE CULTURAL MESSAGES
Children receive a robust secular sex education and are
taught society’s views about marriage. As a result, many
children absorb a secular, self-indulgent, anti-biblical
worldview. At best, many young people are confused
What subjects should parents address with children? Go
where the Bible goes. You can be confident and comfortable
talking about subjects with your child that God addresses
with children in the Bible.
The pattern of Scripture is to teach children God’s truths
regarding marriage, sex, and purity. In Joshua 8:35, chil-
dren participated with the entire community of Israel as
they heard the first five books of the Bible read aloud. That
means they heard key passages about marriage, such as
Genesis 2:24–25.
In Ephesians 6:4, children are directly commanded to
obey their parents. To hear “Children, obey your parents,”
a child had to be sitting with the rest of the congregation
as the entirety of Ephesians was read. That means children
were taught the biblical role of husband and wife as well as
the meaning and purpose of marriage (Eph 5:22–33).
Space limits my ability to explain the full range of topics
parents need to address with children, but a short list
includes these crucial truths:
• Marriage is created by God. God designed marriage.
Therefore, God gets to define marriage. Marriage is for
one man and one woman for life.
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