#1482. Instruct children in the Lord (27/3/26)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.

From Ephesians 6:4, let’s consider how we are to carefully instruct and educate children in the will and ways of Jesus.

To watch this devotional, please select the link below:

We have been reflecting on this passage throughout the week. Today, as we conclude this theme of family life, we focus again on the final phrase of verse 4: ‘instruction of the Lord’.

In our last devotional, we considered how we are to ‘bring up’ (nurture) children through training—that is, discipline and correction. Today, we see how this must be paired with instruction in the Lord.

The word ‘instruction’ translates the Greek nouthesia, meaning admonition, instruction, or warning. It speaks of the content of a child’s formation. When I was a schoolteacher, we were required to deliver what is called the National Curriculum - a government framework outlining what children should be taught and the standards they should reach. It includes core subjects such as English, maths, and science, alongside foundation subjects like history, art, and computing.

But God has given us a far greater priority: we are to teach our children to be disciples of Jesus.

For all believers -including in how we raise children—we are commanded:

‘Training and instruction in the Lord’ means teaching children—and the young people we may serve—to know who God is, to understand His will, and to see it revealed in His Word.

In the past, Churches and families would use a ‘catechism’ - catechism comes from the Greek verb katēcheō, meaning to instruct orally with questions and answers. 

Below is a short catechism that I’ve developed, you might like to try using it. 

Here is a list of 26 questions that you could work through with your children, or with someone you are discipling.Discuss each question in turn.

1. Who is God?God is holy and loving. He is spirit—infinitely great, eternal, unchanging, all-knowing, and all-powerful (Romans 11:33–36).

2. What is the Trinity?God is three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and these three are one God (Matthew 28:19–20).

3. Why do we exist?We exist to glorify God and enjoy Him forever (Romans 1:25; Philippians 2:9–11; 4:4).

4. How did all things come into being?God made all things out of nothing (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16).

5. What are human beings?God created mankind in His image, male and female, to rule over the earth (Genesis 1:26–27).

6. What is sin, and how did it come into the world?Sin is disobedience to God. All people sin because Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the beginning (Genesis 3:6–7; Romans 5:12).

7. What is the condition of all people because of sin?All have sinned and therefore face God’s judgment (Genesis 3:16–19; Romans 3:23–24).

8. What are the Ten Commandments, and how do they apply today?The Ten Commandments summarise God’s law. Obedience matters, but only faith in Christ can save. (Regarding the fourth commandment: true rest is found in Christ.) (Exodus 20:1–17; Hebrews 4:1–4)

9. What are the two greatest commandments?To love God and to love others. How do these commands reveal our need for God’s forgiveness? (Matthew 22:37–40)

10. Who is Jesus?Jesus is the eternal Son of God who became man to die for humanity’s sin (John 1:14; 1 Timothy 2:5).

11. How can a person be saved from God’s judgment on sin?Only through faith in Jesus can a person be saved. Trying to be good can never meet God’s perfect standard (Acts 4:12; Romans 1:17).

12. What is repentance?Repentance means to change one’s mind and direction. To become a Christian, a person must turn to Jesus as Lord and Saviour (Acts 2:38).

13. What does it mean to be born again?Faith in Christ brings forgiveness and new spiritual life, which shows itself in a transformed way of living (John 3:3).

14. What does it mean to be adopted by God?Christians are not only forgiven; they are adopted into God’s family, where He is their loving Father (1 John 3:1).

15. What happens when a Christian dies?Because of Jesus, a Christian goes immediately into the presence of God (2 Corinthians 5:8).

16. What happens when an unbeliever dies?Those who have not trusted in Jesus will be judged for their sin and spend eternity separated from God (Matthew 25:41).

17. What will happen when Jesus comes again?Jesus will return at the end of history to judge the world and restore all things to their perfect state (Revelation 21:1–5).

18. How do I read the Bible?The Bible is God’s Word—true, without error, and sufficient for all of life. We should read it prayerfully and obediently (2 Timothy 3:16).

19. How do I pray?We pray as those in God’s presence, bringing requests that align with His will as revealed in Scripture (Matthew 6:5–8).

20. What does each phrase in the Lord’s Prayer teach us about prayer?Study and reflect on Matthew 6:9–13.

21. What does the Lord’s Supper signify?The bread and wine are symbols that remind us of the gospel—Jesus’ body given and blood shed for our sins (1 Corinthians 11:23–26).

22. What does baptism mean, and who is it for?Baptism means to immerse in water. It symbolises faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection, and our new life in Him. All who believe in Christ should be baptised (Matthew 28:19; Colossians 2:12).

23. How can I be empowered by the Holy Spirit?We need the Spirit’s power, which we receive through prayer and dependence on God (Luke 11:13; John 7:37–38).

24. How can I avoid sin?Though we will be tempted, we can resist sin through a healthy relationship with God and the encouragement of church fellowship (Hebrews 10:24–25).

25. How do I hear God’s voice so as to obey Him?We hear God primarily through the Bible, and also through the counsel and gifts of others as they teach, speak truth, and give wise advice.

26. How can I help my friends believe in Jesus?Pray for them, love them well, and share the gospel thoughtfully and graciously (Colossians 4:5–6).

Community Group Notes

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

2. Icebreaker

Something that builds relationships and confidence to share; it’s good to regularly use this moment to ask the group: How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

On Sunday, we continued our new series entitled: Ephesians: to the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God. 

From Ephesians 6:1-4, we learn that God has a design for family relationships that lead to flourishing.

Please read Ephesians 6:1–4 and discuss:

• Personal reflection – From Sunday’s message and this passage, what stood out to you? Was there anything the Holy Spirit particularly impressed on your heart?

• The command and the promise – What is the promised outcome of obeying this command? In light of this, what might be the consequences of neglecting or disobeying it?

• To children – This instruction is given to all children, both young and old. What does it look like in practice to obey and honour parents? How can we do this faithfully, even when parents are not believers or do not act in godly ways?

• To parents – What are parents warned to avoid, and why? How do ‘training’ (discipline and correction) and ‘instruction’ (intentional, godly teaching) serve as the antidote to exasperating or provoking children to anger?

SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• The witness of godly families -  From our text, how does godly family life bring glory to Jesus in this world? 

• Sharing Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing stories of how we’ve seen God at work through simple faithfulness.

• Practical Next Steps – Who might God be placing on your heart at this time? Are there any “people of peace” (see note) in your life—those who seem open, welcoming, or receptive to spiritual conversation?

Let’s Pray Together

• Please pray for the Easter period - for both our Good Friday and Easter services - pray for opportunities, and the love, to take those opportunities to invite people. 

• Pray for courage, wisdom, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in our Serve, Invest, and Invite opportunities.

• Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - that God would open hearts and deepen relationships.

• General prayer: From our study, or from personal needs, how do people want prayer?