By Steve A. Hamilton

Genesis 42:21-22

Introduction: The title of our lesson comes from the story of Joseph when Reuben remembered the occasion when his brothers sold Joseph into slavery.  Reuben remembered how Joseph pleaded for his life and how the brothers turned a deaf ear.  If fact, Reuben had warned the other brothers not to mistreat Joseph by saying, “Do not sin against the child.”  But they would not listen.  It had been many years since that event, yet that occasion still haunted them.

          Parents today often sin against their own children.  The effect of their sin is not always immediate.  Sometimes it takes years to see the consequences that results from a mistreated child.  Parents, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7).  Those who sin against their children will regret it later.

I. We sin against our child when we fail to train them (Prov. 22:6).

          A. Parents have only one opportunity to discharge this sacred trust. 

          B. Training starts with the parent (Mark 12:29-31).  God must be first in the life of the parent that is going to be successful in raising godly children.

                   1. As a parent, you have the most influence on your child’s spiritual development.  You cannot convey to your child what you do not possess.  You can not lead where you have not been.

                   2. Therefore, parents can not participate in any kind of wickedness.  Parents can not say, “Do as I say and not as I do.” 

                   3. Parents always give godly instructions (1 Tim. 4:8; Prov. 4:10-19).

II. We sin against our child when we fail to teach them.

          A. God gave the Israelites the proper attitude toward teaching children (Deut. 6:5-9).

          B. Parents can not delegate their responsibility to teach their children on anyone else (Eph. 6:4).

          C.  Incidentally, if you provoke your child to wrath, you are not teaching them anything that is proper.  Some parents make a sport of getting their children angry.  Then they wonder why their child has a problem with cursing and controlling their anger.  Parents teach their children; they don’t provoke them to wrath! 

III. We sin against our child when we fail to give a proper example.

          A. God gave each child a parent as an example (Prov. 23:26).

          B. What happens when a child observes their parent speeding? We are commanded to respect civil law (Rom. 13:1-7).  When a parent flaunts the laws of the land, he promotes rebellion in his child who will likewise flaunt speeding laws as well as other traffic laws.

          C.  Someone once said, “The best way to be a good father to your children is to be a good husband to their mother.”  Some parents never express or show their love for each other.  If parents don’t demonstrate a proper loving relationship at home, will they learn the worlds version of a marriage relationship on T.V.?

IV. We sin against our child when we fail to discipline them (Prov. 13:24).

          A.  Solomon also admonished parents to maintain discipline with our children (Prov. 19:18).

          B.  Many parents think letting a child do their own thing is healthy.  God says those parents are guilty of child neglect.

V. We sin against our child when we fail to give them our time.

          A. Parents cannot be too busy with worldly things or their children will learn that the things of the world are more important then the things of God (Matt. 6:33).

          B. Might I suggest that the best thing a parent can give a child is not money or things, but you and your time.

          C.  The years fly away when you have children.  The next thing you know they have grown up and are gone out on their own.  Therefore, spell love as T-I-M-E. 

Conclusion:  Parents, let us strive to raise godly children. “Do not sin against the child” by failing them in any of the ways we mentioned in this lesson.  I pray none of us will face the Lord with the regret expressed by Reuben when he said, “We are truly guilty concerning our brother.”  Have you sinned against your child?

Last modified: 05/02/08