Bringing the Gospel to Covenant Children
4/5
()
About this ebook
This book is packed with practical guidance on how to evangelize covenant children and how, by God’s grace, to make the home “a nursery for heaven.” After showing that Christians today fail to understand the role of the covenant in their children’s lives, Joel R. Beeke offers insight on the covenant relationship between God and man, and its implications for home and family. He then teaches parents how to instruct their children in the gospel, with detailed guidelines on how to use prayer, family worship, teaching, conversation, and mentoring to evangelize children. Leading a child to Christ is a lengthy but hopeful journey in which parents must use God’s appointed means while depending radically upon the Holy Spirit to produce the desired result.
Table of Contents:
1. Understanding the Need
2. Teaching the Content of the Gospel
3. Using the Means
4. Concluding Applications
Appendix: A Loving Encouragement to Flee Worldliness
Joel R. Beeke
Dr. Joel R. Beeke is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, a pastor of Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Mich., and editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books. He is author of numerous books, including Parenting by God’s Promises, Knowing and Growing in Assurance of Faith, and Reformed Preaching.
Read more from Joel R. Beeke
Revelation Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Family at Church Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Puritan Theology: Doctrine for Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Meet the Puritans: With a Guide to Modern Reprints Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhy Should I Be Interested in Church History? Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Why Christ Came: 31 Meditations on the Incarnation Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Getting Back in the Race: The Cure for Backsliding Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Following God Fully: An Introduction to the Puritans Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Puritan Evangelism: A Biblical Approach Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How Can I Benefit from the Lord's Supper? Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5None Else: 31 Meditations on God’s Character and Attributes Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5God’s Alphabet for Life: Devotions for Young Children Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPuritan Reformed Theology: Historical, Experiential, and Practical Studies for the Whole of Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBeginning: Family Worship in Genesis Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Why Should We Sing Psalms? Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Friends and Lovers: Cultivating Companionship and Intimacy in Marriage Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How Should Teens Read the Bible? Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Precious Blood: The Atoning Work of Christ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Contagious Christian Living Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Thriving in Grace: Twelve Ways the Puritans Fuel Spiritual Growth Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHeirs With Christ: The Puritans on Adoption Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPrepared by Grace, for Grace: The Puritans on God’s Ordinary Way of Leading Sinners to Christ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Dying and Death: Getting Rightly Prepared for the Inevitable Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related to Bringing the Gospel to Covenant Children
Related ebooks
Family Worship Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Heirs With Christ: The Puritans on Adoption Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGospel-Shaped Marriage: Grace for Sinners to Love Like Saints Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How Can I Cultivate Private Prayer? Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How Should We View Our Children in the Church? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Beginning: Family Worship in Genesis Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Living in a Godly Marriage Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDeveloping a Healthy Prayer Life: 31 Meditations on Communing with God Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow Can I Benefit from the Lord's Supper? Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Building a Godly Home, Vol. 3: A Holy Vision for Raising Children Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Building a Godly Home, Vol. 1: A Holy Vision for Family Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBuilding a Godly Home, Vol. 2: A Holy Vision for a Happy Marriage Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How Should We Consider Christ in Affliction? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThriving in Grace: Twelve Ways the Puritans Fuel Spiritual Growth Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLiving Zealously Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFamily Worship Bible Guide Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow Should We Develop Biblical Friendship? Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Scandal of Undisciplined Disciples: Making Church Discipline Edifying Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Following God Fully: An Introduction to the Puritans Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How Should Teens Read the Bible? Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Puritan Evangelism: A Biblical Approach Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Why Should We Sing Psalms? Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Godly Home (Introduction by J. I. Packer) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Faith Worth Teaching: The Heidelberg Catechism’s Enduring Heritage Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Sketch of the Christian's Catechism Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsContagious Christian Living Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Taking Hold of God: Reformed and Puritan Perspectives on Prayer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsComfort and Holiness from Christ's Priestly Work Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFriends and Lovers: Cultivating Companionship and Intimacy in Marriage Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Turn and Live Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Christianity For You
The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind Workbook: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Holy Bible (World English Bible, Easy Navigation) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It's Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind... Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Your Brain's Not Broken: Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and Life with ADHD Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Jesus Calling Morning and Evening, with Scripture References Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Undistracted: Capture Your Purpose. Rediscover Your Joy. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Bringing the Gospel to Covenant Children
6 ratings1 review
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Short, clear, practical, helpful. Great little book.
Book preview
Bringing the Gospel to Covenant Children - Joel R. Beeke
Bringing the Gospel to
Covenant Children
Joel R. Beeke
REFORMATION HERITAGE BOOKS
Grand Rapids, Michigan
FAMILY GUIDANCE SERIES
By Joel R. Beeke
The church must maintain the divinely ordered role of the family to establish a godly heritage. In this ongoing series, Dr. Joel R. Beeke offers pastoral insight and biblical direction for building strong Christian families.
Books in the series:
Bringing the Gospel to Covenant Children
Family Worship
The Family at Church
Bringing the Gospel to Covenant Children
© 2001, 2010 by Joel R. Beeke
Published by
Reformation Heritage Books
2965 Leonard St. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
616-977-0889/Fax 616-285-3246
e-mail: orders@heritagebooks.org
website: www.heritagebooks.org
ISBN 978-1-60178-135-2 (epub)
______________________________
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Beeke, Joel R., 1952-
Bringing the gospel to covenant children / Joel R. Beeke.
p. cm. — (Family guidance series)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-60178-117-8 (paperack : alk. paper) 1. Christian education—Home training. 2. Christian education of children. I. Title.
BV1590.B44 2010
248.8’45—dc22
2010047162
______________________________
For additional Reformed literature, both new and used, request a free book list from the above address.
With gratitude for
Steve Renkema and Jay Collier
great God-fearing friends, brothers in Christ,
and conscientious fathers,
who love sound Reformed books
almost as much as I do!
Thanks so much for all your hard work
as RHB’s manager and director of publishing.
You are appreciated far more than you know.
Contents
1. Understanding the Need
2. Teaching the Content of the Gospel
3. Using the Means
4. Concluding Applications
Appendix: A Loving Encouragement to Flee Worldliness
Scripture Index
1
Understanding the Need
Church growth books and manuals flood the market. Surprisingly few address internal growth through the Holy Spirit sovereignly blessing the raising of children in covenantal truth. Yet, historically, Reformed Christians have acknowledged that their most solid, genuine church growth has been through the conversion of youth reared in the church. Charles Spurgeon wrote to Edward Payson Hammond, author of The Conversion of Children, My conviction is that our converts from among children are among the very best we have. I should judge them to have been more numerously genuine than any other class, more constant, and in the long run more solid.
[1]
Andrew Bonar concurred. He also wrote to Hammond, saying, In awakenings that have been given us, the cases of young people have been as entirely satisfactory as any cases we have had. If conversion be God’s work, in which the Holy Spirit reveals Christ to the soul, surely His work can take place in children as really as in the old.
[2]
Children raised in the church need to hear the gospel, that is, the evangel, every bit as much as adults. They too need to be born again. They too need to be evangelized in dependency on the Holy Spirit. In this book we will focus on three concerns:
1. The need for evangelizing covenant children,
2. The content of such evangelizing, and
3. The means for such evangelizing.
Understanding the Need
First, let me define the terms: By covenant children
I mean those children born to at least one confessing parent (1 Cor. 7:14), who are baptized, and are growing up in the community of the church, with all the riches and privileges that entails, such as being placed under the prayers of the church and the preaching, invitations, and warnings of God’s Word.[3] By evangelize
or evangelizing
I mean presenting the gospel of Christ the Savior as the one thing needful in the lives of desperate sinners, including our covenant children, praying that by Spirit-worked faith and repentance they may be drawn to God through Christ, grow in Him, and serve Him as Lord in the fellowship of His church and in the extension of His kingdom in the world.
Today, many parents who have confessed their faith and whose children have been baptized are not adequately evangelizing, i.e., bringing the gospel to, their covenant children. Reasons for this include the following:
• Some parents confuse their children by living inconsistent and impure lives. They have faulty views of their covenant responsibilities toward their children, which leads them to respond inappropriately to the spiritual concerns and questions of their children. They often misrepresent God, election, sin, and the gospel to their children.
• Some parents abuse their children by prompting premature professions of faith through the altar call system or through easy believism.
They offer verbal assurance of salvation to their children without seeing biblical fruits of salvation. Or else, they err to the other extreme by treating their children like adults in this matter, expecting too much from them.[4]
• Some parents neglect their children by ignoring their spiritual needs, by not stressing the importance of the scriptural doctrines of grace, and by underestimating the challenge of our wicked and tempting times.[5]
• Some parents fail their children because they do not believe that God can convert them. They do not realize that more Christians have been converted in their youth than during any other stage of life. Such failures caused Robert Murray M‘Cheyne to say in the 1850s, Jesus has reason to complain of us, that He can do no mighty work in our Sabbath-schools, because of our unbelief. Let us pray for the children. Let us labour for the children. Let us hope for the children.
[6]
A biblical view of our covenant children would greatly enhance our attempts to evangelize them properly. Before explaining that, let us first examine two errors that many evangelical parents make today in viewing their covenant children:
1. They overestimate the covenant relationship. Specifically, some parents overestimate the significance of their children’s baptismal membership in the visible church. They view the covenant as a replacement for the regeneration and conversion of their children. This is particularly true of those who adhere to Abraham Kuyper’s view of covenant children called presumptive regeneration.
Kuyper taught that the covenant warrants the presumption that children of believers are regenerated from earliest infancy and possess saving grace unless they later reject the covenant.
The fruits of presumptive regeneration are often tragic. Parents who presume that their children are regenerate by virtue of the covenant see no need to tell their children that they must be born again and come to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. William Young calls this view hyper-covenantism,
because the relation of children to the covenant is exaggerated to the point that the covenant relation replaces the need