Presenting the Gospel to Children IV

We’re diverging from our series on the influence of the Puritans on the Great Awakening (US) and the Evangelical Revival (UK) and focusing on God’s work of regeneration in children.

This week, we’re discussing Philip Doddridge’s sermon called “Teaching Children Character.” Click here to read the entire sermon. Philip Doddrige was an 18th century English Congregationalist pastor, author, hymnwriter.

He begins his sermon by saying, “I very readily allow that no human endeavors, either of ministers or of parents, can ever be effectual to bring one soul to the saving knowledge of God in Christ without the cooperating and transforming influences of the blessed Spirit. Yet you well know, and I hope you seriously consider, that this does not in the least weaken our obligation to the most diligent use of proper means. The great God has stated rules of operation in the world of grace as well as of nature. Though He is not limited to them, it is arrogant and may be destructive to expect that He should deviate from them in favor of us or ours.”

God is the ultimate supplier of all the spiritual good our children need. But God has given us, as parents, the obligation of doing all by His grace that we can do to point our kids to Christ.

Doddrige writes, “As absurd would it be for us to flatter ourselves with a hope that our children should be taught of God, and regenerated and sanctified by the influences of His grace, if we neglect that prudent and religious care in their education which it is my business this day to describe and recommend.”

“Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD” (Ps. 34:11).

We ought to start by teaching our children the bigness of God. If we start only with Jesus loves you and died for your sins, the words may become weightless and meaningless to our children. They do not know what they are saved from or the character of the One who has saved them. We should show them God’s majesty and His kindness and love.

Teach your children prayers—especially Scriptural ones (doxologies, Psalms). This is kindling that we hope the Lord will one day ignite in their hearts.

Show them Christ—who rebuked His followers for preventing children from coming to Him, wept for Lazarus, fed the 5,000, and was nailed to the cross for crimes He did not commit to atone for the sins of His Bride.

There is no promise that if we teach everything well to our children, they will be saved and vice versa. We trust in the hand of God for salvation.

“O injured, neglected, provoked Benefactor!
When I think but for a moment of all Your greatness and of all Your goodness, I am astonished at this indifference which has prevailed in my heart, and even still prevails;
And yet this stupid heart of mine would make its having neglected You so long a reason for going on to neglect You.
I beseech You, for Your name's sake, to lead me and guide me.
Let me not delay until it is for ever too late.
O break this fatal enchantment that keeps my affections from You. Amen.”

This prayer by Philip Doddridge is taken from A Guide to Family Worship.

 

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Behold Your God PodcastCourtney Brewer