What The Bible Says
“What The Bible Says - Vol. 6 / No. 22”
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What The Bible Says
Vol. VI - No. 22 / February 25, 2024
TEACHERS ARE QUITTING
I saw a report that 42 teachers and 8 bus drivers have quit in Orlando County schools in Florida since August of 2023. A report by CNN claims teachers are quitting across the United States in record numbers (May 31, 2023, CNN, see also usatoday.com March 6, 2023). While some teachers quit because of low salaries, the report from Orlando retired teachers is they quit because they are worn down spending excessive amounts of time dealing with students misbehaving.
When they say students misbehaving, they are not talking about mere talking or lack of attention in the class, the increase in violence among students and toward teachers and bus drivers is increasing. One former teacher expressed how, in his school, a student could curse the teacher or even the principal without consequences. He went on to say that it got to the point where he could not wait for weekends and holidays to get away from the stress and pressure of teaching under these circumstances.
It is interesting to listen to the "experts" try to explain what is wrong. One school psychologist claimed that some students lash out because of "a lack of school supplies." She did say, "Some of it might be a problem at home, but they would have to investigate that further." Yes, right... I am no psychologist, but I can tell you misbehavior is not caused by a lack of school supplies! I put the blame squarely on the shoulders of fathers first, then mothers.
Ephesians 6:4 says, "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." As the head of the wife and leader of the family (1 Corinthians 11: 3), the father answers for the behavior of his children. Remember the days when the school would report to the father of the family? Fathers must get their wives (and grandparents) on board with a plan to consistently train the children in the way of the Lord, and to correct and discipline the children when they get out of line.
Discipline includes correcting by sitting down and discussing a matter and it can include physical punishment. The Bible does not mince words on the matter of physical correction of children when it is necessary. Proverbs 22:15 in the ESV says, "Folly is bound up in the heart of the child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him." The purpose of discipline is to create an orderly and behaved attitude in the child. Discipline will make life easier for parents, the child, and everyone else! "The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother" (Proverbs 29:15, ESV). The promise is rest for the parents who are consistent with disciplining their children. "Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart" (Proverbs 29:17, ESV). The fact is that parents who allow children to go uncontrolled and unrestrained hate their children! "He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly" (Proverbs 13:24, NKJV).They hate them because they fail to turn them away from attitudes and behaviors which will result in disappointment and trouble in this life and, eventually, land them in a devil's hell! Parents only have a small window of time to set their children on the proper path for life. Correction must be done promptly and when the offense happens (Ecclesiastes 8:11).
Parents who follow certain modern methods fail to make "believers" out of their misbehaving children, refusing to follow the "old paths of discipline." I do not know everything about new child rearing methods, but from what I am seeing, it does not resemble the Bible method of discipling children!
Only in this "new age," about the last 15 to 20 years, have we heard about school shootings, students being confused about their gender, increasing unpatriotic behavior and extreme disrespect for parents and teachers. What has changed? God is not welcomed in the schools and not in the many homes today. The structure of the home has certainly gone Hollywood! Because of moral decay such as having children out of wedlock and easy divorce, the home is often governed by a single parent or adults living together. We are seeing increasingly among the married a home that functions as a democracy. God did not set the home up to be a democracy (Genesis 3:16; Ephesians 5:22).
What is needed is responsible fathers who will wear the pants again. Those claiming to be Christians must work at structuring the home after God's order. Husbands and wives cannot function in the same roles and the family succeed at being "God's home." Children need order in their home where the father is a leader and authority in the home who teaches and corrects as needed. Mothers need to be on board with their husbands and work together working for the same positive outcome for the children (Ephesians 5:22-6:4; Titus 2:5). What is that outcome? The outcome should be responsible, polite, and orderly children who will be an asset to the school and society in general (Proverbs 22:6). Most of all, parents should work hard to bring up children who will have a firm belief in God and follow Jesus Christ (Ephesians 6:4).
Lack of proper training in morals, peers, social media, television, and selfishness have contributed to unruly and sometimes violent children. The bottom line is fault lies in the dysfunctional home and the laissez-faire style of bringing up children. It is time to restore the home to God's original order. When children have homes with fathers and mothers who love them, teach them to respect others, and who discipline them, children will function better in schools, follow government laws, and be responsible adults. Parents are you disciplining your children? —Michael R. Baggett
IS THE SABBATH STILL BINDING TODAY?
The Bible teaches the Sabbath was a day of rest for the Jews (Deuteronomy 5:13-14; Exodus 34: 27-28). God never gave this command to the Gentiles. However there are those who believe and teach the Sabbath is to be observed by Christians today.
During the first 2500 years of man's existence there was no Sabbath day observance. The first mention of the word is found after the children of lsrael (Jews) had been led out of bondage in Egypt by Moses. In fact, the command to observe the Sabbath was not given until Moses received the ten commandments on Mount Sinai (Exodus 20). The fourth of those commandments stated the law concerning the Sabbath. Nehemiah 9: 13-14 also confirms that it was on Mount Sinai that God made known unto them the Sabbath.
When we understand the purpose of the Sabbath, it should also help us to realize it is not for us to observe today. In Deuteronomy 5:15 we read that God gave the Sabbath to the Israelites (Jews) for them to remember their bondage in Egypt. Also in verses 1-3 of this chapter, we see language that could be no simpler in explaining the Sabbath had not been observed in previous times.
The Sabbath is not binding today. When Christ died on the cross, the law given on Mount Sinai was removed (Colossians 2:14-16). The law we have today, the New Testament, is a better covenant based upon better promises (Hebrews 8:6). For anyone to want to go back under the Old Testament and bind laws and commandments today, the Bible teaches they have “fallen from grace” (Galatians 5:4). —E.R. Hall, Jr.
SENTENCE SERMONS
If we understood the power of our thoughts, we would guard them more closely.
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Treat each day as your last; one day you will be right.
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Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame.
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No matter how big your house is, how recent your car is, or how big your bank account is — your grave will always be the same size. Stay humble.
"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….…………… 9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….……… 10:30 AM
Evening Worship …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
Website: www. EastAlbertville.org
