Our Thread

Pasa Graphe' Theopneustos Kai Ophelimos (Greek) is one of the most often-repeated passages from the Scriptures, ie, the Bible. The passage appears in the heading of our Facebook page. But what does it say to us in our various tongues? Well, for those of us who speak English, this passage is a bold testimony from the pen of one Paul, a first-century scholar from the Isrealite tribe of Benjamin. It is also a statement steeped in the thelogy of the Biblical narratives. So, Paul wrote to a young ethnic Jew named Timotheus: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable......"
At the time Paul wrote those words, there was not yet a codex known as the "New Testament." The scrolls of papyrus on which were written the Scriptures are what we call today the "Old Testament." In its immediate and limited interpretation, Paul is saying that the messages in the Old Testament are inspired by God. That being so, who is the man who would say that the record of the flood in Noah's day was simply an allegory, and not an historical account?

Child Training

What is the value of early attention to child training? It's in the Bible, Proverbs 22:6, NIV. "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

What does God expect from parents as they raise children? Parents must be godly examples in words and actions. It's in the Bible, Deuteronomy 6:6-7, NIV "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

God expects parents to be patient. It's in the Bible, Colossians 3:21, TLB. "Fathers, don't scold your children so much that they become discouraged and quit trying."

What does God expect of a mother? It's in the Bible, Proverbs 31:26, TLB. "When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule for everything she says."

Discipline is an expression of parental love. It's in the Bible, Proverbs 13:24, TLB. "If you refuse to discipline your son, it proves you don't love him; for if you love him, you will be prompt to punish him."

Kind, firm correction helps children learn. It's in the Bible, Proverbs 29:15, TLB. "Scolding and spanking a child helps him to learn. Left to himself, he brings shame to his mother."

The purpose of discipline is to help the children mature, not to anger them. It's in the Bible, Ephesians 6:4, TLB. "And now a word to you parents. Don't keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful. Rather, bring them up with the loving discipline the Lord Himself approves, with suggestions and godly advice."

Children often bear the consequences of their parents' sins. It's in the Bible, Exodus 34:7, TLB. "I, Jehovah, show this steadfast love to many thousands by forgiving their sins; or else I refuse to clear the guilty, and require that a father's sins be punished in the sons and grandsons, and even later generations."

What response does God expect from children? It's in the Bible, Ephesians 6:1, NIV "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right."