Standing on the Promises: A Handbook of Biblical Childrearing

by Douglas Wilson

Christian fathers are commanded to bring up all the children born into their homes in this fashion. And the process is His because the children are His. Trans-generational blessing is assumed throughout the Bible. Peter says that the promise is to “you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:39). It is quite true this is governed by the divine will—as many as the Lord our God will call—but given the copious and clear teaching of the Old Testament, and Peter’s reference to it, there is no reason to believe the Lord wants to be miserly in His grace. For covenantally faithful parents, because the promise of Scripture cannot be broken, the Lord’s gracious calling of our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren is something in which we can rest. A detailed discussion of these great covenantal promises and their related duties should therefore be our delight.