The Role Of Parents As Teachers

Children are a gift from God. Parents who are blessed to have them must train them to become responsible and productive members of society.

The training will aim at inculcating in the children timeless principles, truths, good character, leadership qualities and personality traits for a successful life. They need knowledge and wisdom to guide them to make the right decisions and solve problems.

Parents have been instructed to teach their children about God, his attributes, commandments, and the need to live righteously. This sacred duty of parents is found in Psalm 78:1-6 as follows, “Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.

We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children. That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children.” In short children need to know God and his law (Bible) and live by his teachings.

I love what the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve have said: “Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives-mothers and fathers- will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.” (The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign, Nov. 1995).

We must teach our children to appreciate the fact that when they surrender their lives completely to God, they will not have to struggle to meet their needs. God will grant them favour and they will meet their needs effortlessly. In Matthew 6:31-33 the word of God declared: “Therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? Or, wherewithal shall we be clothed?

For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Children must be taught gospel principles. This means parents must live an exemplary life. Parents must study the scriptures with their children. Achieving a fulfilling life lies in righteous living. The prophet King Benjamin admonished parents: ‘Ye will not suffer your children… that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil…

“But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another.” (Mosiah 4:14-15)

Parents should teach their children about prayer. Children should know that prayer is a powerful way to communicate with God. They should not take their life for granted. When praying they should thank God for his numerous blessings. They can also ask for his guidance. They can pray for themselves, their parents, siblings, friends, teachers and even their leaders.

Children should be taught life skills. They need financial literacy, money management, how to save and invest, personal hygiene, how to get along with others, and take care of clothing and property. They should love such values as honesty, integrity, hard work, patience, forgiveness, love of self and neighbor, kindness, compassion etc.

Children need guidance in selecting their friends. They need Godly friends who would add value to their lives. They should be children who fear God and obey his commandments and strive to keep themselves morally clean.

In conclusion, parents have a responsibility to teach the gospel to their children including truths that will bring light into their lives. Prophet David O McKay said, “There is no greater responsibility in the world than the training of a human soul.”

Yours in inspiration,
Abundant Robert K. AWOLUGUTU
Correction Officer, Priest & Author,
Email: [email protected]

The Role Of Parents As Teachers

By Abundant Robert K. AWOLUGUTU