TRAINING THE CHILDREN

In a household that is not united in worship, religious instruction of the children sometimes becomes an issue.  How should Scriptural principles be applied?  The Bible assigns the father primary responsibility for instructing the children, but the mother also has an important role to play. (Proverbs 1:8; compare Genesis 18:19; Deuteronomy 11:18, 19) Even if he does not accept the headship of Christ, the father is still the family head. 

Some unbelieving fathers do not object if the mother instructs the children in religious matters.  Others do.  What if your husband refuses to permit you to take the children to congregation meetings or even forbids you to study the Bible with them at home? Now you have to balance a number of obligations-your obligation to Jehovah God, to your husbandly head, and to your beloved children. How can you reconcile these?

Certainly, you will pray about the matter.  (Philippians 4:6, 7; 1 John 5:14) But in the end, you are the one who must decide what course to take. If you proceed with tact, making it clear to your husband  that you are not challenging his headship, his opposition may eventually lessen.   Even if your husband forbids you  to take your children to meetings or to have a formal Bible study with them, you can still teach them.  By your daily conversation and your good example, try to inculcate in them a degree of love for Jehovah, faith in his Word, respect for parents-including their father-loving concern for other people, and appreciation for  conscientious work habits. In time, the father may notice the good results and may appreciate the value of your efforts. -Proverbs 23:24. 

If you are a husbannd who is a believer and your wife is not, then you must shoulder the responsibility to bring up your children "in the discipline and mental-regulation of Jehovah." (Ephesians 6:4) While doing so, you should, of course, be kind, loving, and reasonable in dealing with your wife.

Next time: IF YOUR RELIGION IS NOT THAT OF YOUR PARENTS

From the book: THE SECRET OF FAMILY HAPPINESS, 1996