{"id":4405,"date":"2019-05-20T09:39:06","date_gmt":"2019-05-20T14:39:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/?p=4405"},"modified":"2019-05-20T16:43:00","modified_gmt":"2019-05-20T21:43:00","slug":"am-i-to-blame-for-a-wayward-child","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/am-i-to-blame-for-a-wayward-child\/","title":{"rendered":"Am I to Blame for a Wayward Child?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

by W. Frank Walton<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Introduction\n
      \n
    1. One of the most heartbreaking parts of life is for a parent to lose a child to the world (II Samuel 18:33). Guilt probes the sensitive conscience of a loving parent, \u201cAm I to blame?\u201d<\/li>\n
    2. The Bible clearly teaches a balance of parental duty to influence a child (Proverbs 23:26), as well as a child\u2019s freewill accountability to God (Romans 14:12). Theme: Whether past errors were large or small in child-rearing, parents can still prayerfully love and positively influence their wayward children to come back to the Lord.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
    3. Parental Responsibility to a Child \u2013 Proverbs 22:6\n
        \n
      1. The general truism in Proverbs is a parent can have a great influence on a child (Proverbs 4:10-14).<\/li>\n
      2. God holds us responsible to teach our children in word and deed (Ephesians 6:4, Titus 2:4-5, Deuteronomy 6:4-9).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
      3. A Child\u2019s Freewill Accountability to God \u2013 Ezekiel 18:20\n
          \n
        1. Each person is directly accountable to God, regardless if the parent was good or bad (Ezekiel 18:4-18).<\/li>\n
        2. The environment is influential but not omnipotent in shaping a child (Ezekiel 18:30-32; cf. Luke 15:11-32).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
        3. Parent-Child Scenarios in the Battle for the Soul\n
            \n
          1. In 1 & 2 Kings, there were 40 kings of Israel and Judah:.\n
              \n
            1. The ideal of 3 good fathers had good sons: Asa & Jehoshaphat – I Kings 15:11, 22:43<\/li>\n
            2. The tragedy of 28 bad fathers had bad sons: Ahab & Ahaziah \u2013 I Kings 16:30, 22:52-53<\/li>\n
            3. The heartbreak of 5 good fathers had bad sons: Hezekiah & Manasseh \u2013 II Kings 18:3, 21:2<\/li>\n
            4. The freewill hope of 4 bad parents had good sons: Aman & Josiah \u2013 II Kings 21:20, 22:2<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
            5. David as a father (Acts 13:22)\n
                \n
              1. Solomon was taught properly (Proverbs 4:3-4).<\/li>\n
              2. Adonijah was spoiled by laxity, which hurt him later (I Kings 1:5-6; cf. Proverbs 19:18, 23:13-14).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
              3. Present Influence on a Wayward Child\n
                  \n
                1. Admit any Shortcomings and Sins to an Affected Child (I Samuel 7:15-8:3; cf. Proverbs 23:26).<\/li>\n
                2. Write Them Love Letters of Spiritual Concern (Proverbs 14:18, 16:21, 24; 25:11)<\/li>\n
                3. Pray Fervently for Their Return to God (James 5:16b, Colossians 4:3-4).<\/li>\n
                4. Show Christ-like Love to Them without Compromising Truth (I Samuel 3:13 vs. I Corinthians 13:7-8).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
                5. Conclusion:\n
                    \n
                  1. We cannot turn back the clock, but we can learn from our past mistakes in parenting. We can make the best use of our time we have left in spiritually influencing and reclaiming our children. While there are life and love, with God there is hope for positive change (Matthew 19:26).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                    by W. Frank Walton Introduction One of the most heartbreaking parts of life is for a parent to lose a child to the world (II Samuel 18:33). Guilt probes the sensitive conscience of a loving parent, \u201cAm I to blame?\u201d The Bible clearly teaches a balance of parental duty to influence a child (Proverbs 23:26),…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[32],"tags":[29,107,354],"class_list":["post-4405","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermon","tag-parenting","tag-raising-children","tag-responsibility"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":43092,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/honor-your-father-and-mother-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":4405,"position":0},"title":"Honor Your Father and Mother","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 13, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 6:1-3 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0One of the Ten Commandments of the Old Law is brought to the New Law intact. It is the commandment to honor our parents \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The word \u201chonor\u201d in this passage means to fix a value on something, to consider it a prized\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":92853,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/to-spank-or-not-to-spank\/","url_meta":{"origin":4405,"position":1},"title":"To Spank or Not to Spank","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 27, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeff Archer via\u00a0Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 2, February 2015 A friend of mine was called to the elementary school where his son was attending. The teacher was seeking help with his son's misbehavior. When he arrived in the classroom, he pulled his son aside and reprimanded him for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":38489,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/should-i-just-stop-asking-for-child-support-payments\/","url_meta":{"origin":4405,"position":2},"title":"Should I just stop asking for child support payments?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 17, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I\u00a0 am a single mother with a young son. The child's father and I\u00a0 are not on speaking terms. However, I have started growing closer with the Lord and looking at life differently. First, my child is an infant and the issue between his father and I began while\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2302,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-is-your-attitude-toward-brethren-whose-children-go-wrong\/","url_meta":{"origin":4405,"position":3},"title":"What Is Your Attitude Toward Brethren Whose Children Go Wrong?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 19, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"by Peter J. Wilson via Truth Magazine, May 3, 2001 The rearing of children at any age is a fearful responsibility. God entrusts into our care a soul (worth more than the whole world) wrapped in a tiny body. While that child is a gift from God\u00a0(Psalms 127:3;\u00a0Genesis 33:5), we\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":63718,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/when-children-go-wrong\/","url_meta":{"origin":4405,"position":4},"title":"When Children Go Wrong","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 29, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The raising of a child is a fearful responsibility. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0God entrusts you with the care of a precious soul wrapped up in a tiny body. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0All souls belong to God - Ezekiel 18:4 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Each child is a precious gift \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Jacob understood this - Genesis 33:5 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sermon"","block_context":{"text":"Sermon","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/sermon\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":37165,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/if-a-child-is-taught-properly-he-wont-depart-from-it-later-right\/","url_meta":{"origin":4405,"position":5},"title":"If a child is taught properly, he won’t depart from it later, right?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 15, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: \"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it\" (Proverbs 22:6). Given the fact that this is the word of God, He knows all, I think we overlook how and in what a child should be well\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4405","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4405"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4405\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4405"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4405"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4405"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}