Our philosophy:

• The Priority of Parenting
• Responsibility of Children
• The Role of the Church

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

Parent's responsibility to teach and model God's truth

He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach their children; that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; (Psalm 78:5-7)

The Bible consistently lays upon parents the primary responsibility to teach their children God's truth and to model hearts that seek hard after Him. Parents exert more influence on their children than anyone else.

Children not only need teaching, but they also need corrective, loving discipline. This also is primarily the responsibility of the parents. Proverbs 29:17 says "Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your soul."

Our children are a gift from the Lord. They have value even before they are born since they are created in His image. Out teaching and discipline is done out of love for our children.

As parents we should be more concerned about our children leaving the faith because of our own sin and weakness than about them leaving because of the church. As parents, this should drive us to our knees.

Children's responsibilities

Ephesians 6:1-3 tells children "Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth."

Implications for the church

a) Since the Bible places the primary responsibility on parents to teach and model God's truth, the church's ministry becomes to assist parents in that role, not to take it from them. Children's programs in the church should help and reinforce what parents are teaching, but they will never be the primary means for the teaching of children.

b) If parents are to teach and model this to their children then we must also teach, and encourage parents in their passion for exalting Christ, knowing His Word, and living in dependence on Him. We realize that we can know all about God, know endless Bible stories, have vast portions of Scripture memorized and yet not honor God or have fellowship with Him.

c) As a church family we are members of one another in the body of Christ. As such, we are an extended family and must proclaim Biblical truth and provide support, encouragement and training to each other, especially to those who do not have believing families.