Examining the biblical teaching concerning responsibility of parents

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the Bible's teaching concerning the responsibility of parents to teach their children good behavior, and its implications for the modern challenges which face NEGST student parents as they teach their children good behavior. To achieve this purpose two methods of study were used. First, was the library research. This examined selected texts from the OT and NT specifically from Deut. 6:1-9; Lev. 19:18; Provo 19:18; 22:6; Eph. 6:4; 2 Tim. 1:5. The implications for the parents facing modern challenges, such as the mass-media and socializing agents outside the horne, were studied with special reference to NEGST student parents as they teach their children. The 1ibrary research revealed that the passages which were examined howed that there are reasons, methods and contents which parents can use in teaching their children. The 1ibrary research al so examined some modern challenges which seem to hinder NEGST student parents from teaching their children good behavior. Second, was the field research. Thirty NEGST community members were interviewed. These included nineteen NEGST nonstudent members and eleven NEGST student parents. 1. The question for all thirty NEGST members was their opinions about the behavior of the children of student parents. A mixture of good and bad behavior was revealed. 2. These were questions which were directed to the eleven NEGST student parents only. (a) What ate the Biblical reasons, methods and contents used by parents to teach their children. (b) What are the modern challenges facing NEGST student parents - mass-media and socializing agents outside the horne. Eight out of eleven interviewed NEGST student parents representing 73% accepted that they do not have enough time to teach their children good behavior because of spending more time studying. It was indicated that children's close friends and the people who are with them most of the time, influenced them to behave positively or negatively.