The conversation in my classroom one day went something like this.
Teacher: This is the chess set my dad used to teach me how to play chess. That is a chess set like you buy today…
Student 1: Is that the same Dad that is with your mom overseas right now? Your real Mom and Dad?
Teacher: Yes, my parents. They have been married for 38 years.
Student 1: (Facial expression shows amazement/disbelief)
Student 2: They didn’t get a divorce? I thought you were supposed to get divorced after a couple of years.
Yes, both of these students were completely serious. None of the other students indicated they disagreed with the statements made by the first two. Do you understand what happened? Six students, ages 12-13, find it uncommon for a couple to be married 38 years and believe marriages are supposed to end in divorce on a regular basis!
Why is this such a big deal? Consider the following ideas.
First, divorce and remarriage is so common in the United States that many do not realize God’s plan. In Genesis 2:24, God instituted marriage with these words, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” When Jesus taught during His earthly ministry, He repeated this statement to the Pharisees when they questioned Him about divorce. Matthew 19:1-9 records this encounter and includes further information on God’s plan. Verse 9 states, “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” God stipulates sexual immorality as the only reason for divorce and remarriage. The one who divorces and remarries for any reason other than sexual immorality, the one who committed the sexual immorality and the one who may marry the one guilty of sexual immorality are all guilty of adultery. In Matthew 19, the example is given of a man divorcing his wife; however, Mark 10:1-12 shows that divorce is not God’s plan no matter who begins the process. As the children in the local congregation can tell you, “God’s plan for marriage is one man, for one woman, for life!”
Second, if Christian parents do not instill in their children God’s view on marriage and other moral issues, the world will instill other values in them. Gone are the days when television shows like Little House on the Prairie, The Waltons and Leave It to Beaver flowed over the airwaves. These shows displayed families who worked together, worked through problems, and generally worked at becoming good, moral people. Many of the shows on today’s television stations depict single parent homes, children and adults who manipulate to get what they want, and a general lack of moral behavior. Hollywood stars and sports heroes often make headlines with multiple marriages or live-in relationships, immoral and illegal behavior. In Deuteronomy 6:6-9, the Israelites received instruction to teach their children about God at every opportunity. Luke 2:52 shows that the boy Jesus “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Mary and Joseph carried out the commands of Deuteronomy 6. The mother and grandmother of Timothy practiced this as well (2 Timothy 1:5). Today’s Christian parents must follow the examples of Mary, Joseph, and Timothy’s mother and grandmother. Parents cannot rely on weekly attendance at Bible class and worship to fill a child’s mind with biblical teachings; that is only about four hours each week at best. If the average child sleeps about six hours each night, in the course of a week, the media and school have the opportunity to claim his mind the remaining 122 hours. Which do you think will make the biggest impact, 4 hours or 122 hours? Redeem as many of those 122 hours as you can for the Lord (Ephesians 5:16).
The state of the children in my class shows some pretty distorted views on marriage (and other topics), probably based on personal experience. Not all children that age have the same distorted views. However, if even one of a child’s friends has similar views, that child is at risk to accept those views if someone else does not lay a solid foundation of God’s truth (Matthew 7:24-28; Luke 6:48-49). The children of today will be the leaders of the church tomorrow. Like Paul instructed Timothy, faithful Christian parents need to teach children now so they can lead the church tomorrow and teach the generation to follow (2 Timothy 2:2). What is the state of your children? Do they have a solid foundation in God’s Word, know, love and obey God? If not, what are you going to do about it?
