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Children

Includes pregnancy, the "right to life", childbirth, raising and training children

1. Pregnancy:

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.)

2. The Lord's hand on children before birth:

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

3. The Bible on "the right to life":

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.)

4. Childbirth:

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)

5. Teaching and training your children:

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)

6. Children's obedience and disobedience:

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

7. Loving instruction balanced with firm discipline:

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

8. The growing years:

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

9. Children in God's service:

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

10. Becoming like children:

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.)

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Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family International

Request
James Arendt
James Arendt

My name is James Arendt. I was raised in the Hegewisch neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, served in the USAF from 1970 to 1974, and became a full-time missionary for Christ living 40 years in Japan, 3.5 years in Russia, and a few months in other countries such as Finland, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, South Korea, Taiwan and mainland China where I also served the King of Kings, Jesus, as an Ambassador for His Kingdom. My full bio.

On September 24, 2023, I had an accident and broke the bone of the tip of my left elbow. A boy ran in front of my motorbike less than 2 meters from me as I was leaving home. I stopped suddenly and my front tire slid on the sandy concrete road which caused me to fall. I did not hit the boy. On October 18th I had surgery done on my elbow. The doctor put in titanium rods to hold my bones together. The entire procedure including an entire week in the hospital was roughly $4000 USD. This was done in the Philippines where my wife and I have been living since June this year.


X-rays of bone before and after surgery that inserted titanium rods to reinforce my broken bone.

Before and after one week in the hospital.

Undergoing therapy to bend my arm again.
I'm now undergoing therapy to be able to bend my arm again.

It would be a super blessing to us if any of the visitors of this website can help us cover this expense!

You don't need a PayPay account to send me a donation! Just click on the donate button and you will see an option to send through your debit or credit card.


Or if you have a PayPal account, just log into it and send to my PayPal ID:
james.arendt@jamesjpn.net

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