Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.… I. The first thing to which we invite your attention, is, THE BEST METHOD OF COMMUNICATING RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE. 1. Now, among the first rules we would give for the communication of religious knowledge to children, we would say, avoid bringing before them all points of abstract doctrine. Do not suppose it needful that you should bring under their notice any system of divinity, as a system. Be careful to impress upon their minds those moral facts, which lead to the doctrines, rather than to state the doctrines and then prove them by the facts. 2. There is another direction, which I think very important, with regard to the instruction of the young; and that is, that in all our statements of truth, and in all our illustrations of doctrine, we should be careful that every illustration we employ be as circumscribed, as confined, as narrow in its range, as possible. 3. There is one general direction more that we would give with regard to the inculcation of religious knowledge; and that is, that we should do all we can to encourage habits of inquiry, of reflection, and of moral thoughtfulness. II. We now proceed to the second part of our subject, where the observations, it is obvious, will apply to those of a more advanced age, as well as to children. We mean, THE OFFERING RULES FOR PERSUADING THEM TO A RELIGIOUS PRACTICE. 1. The first rule we would give, is this: that you make the service of God appear delightful service. 2. Another direction is, that you acquire the habit of turning passing events to a spiritual account. 3. Another direction is, that you endeavour to find out their first and strongest tendency to evil. 4. Another direction we would give, is, that you administer reproof on Bible principles, and in a Bible spirit. 5. One more direction is, that ye encourage the small beginnings of the good work. Two practical directions for yourselves, in conclusion, will finish our subject. First, let your exhortations be strengthened by example; secondly, let your example be sanctified by your prayers. (D. Moore, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.WEB: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. |
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