Study Desk

He must be a good family leader, having children who cooperate with full respect.

Deacons must have only one wife and be good leaders of their children and their own families.

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to do their duty to their own family and to repay their parents or grandparents. That pleases God.

She must be known for her good works—works such as raising her children, welcoming strangers, washing the feet of God's people, helping those in trouble, and giving her life to do all kinds of good deeds.

So I want the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their homes. Then no enemy will have any reason to criticize them.

An elder must not be guilty of doing wrong, must have only one wife, and must have believing children. They must not be known as children who are wild and do not cooperate.

Then they can teach the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

God is the One who made all things, and all things are for his glory. He wanted to have many children share his glory, so he made the One who leads people to salvation perfect through suffering.

He also says, "I will trust in God." Isaiah 8:17 And he also says, "I am here, and with me are the children God has given me." Isaiah 8:18

Since these children are people with physical bodies, Jesus himself became like them. He did this so that, by dying, he could destroy the one who has the power of death—the devil—

He was too old to have children, and Sarah could not have children. It was by faith that Abraham was made able to become a father, because he trusted God to do what he had promised.

You have forgotten the encouraging words that call you his children: "My child, don't think the Lord's discipline is worth nothing, and don't stop trying when he corrects you.

So hold on through your sufferings, because they are like a father's discipline. God is treating you as children. All children are disciplined by their fathers.

If you are never disciplined (and every child must be disciplined), you are not true children.

You have come to the meeting of God's firstborn children whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all people, and to the spirits of good people who have been made perfect.

Now we hope for the blessings God has for his children. These blessings, which cannot be destroyed or be spoiled or lose their beauty, are kept in heaven for you.

Now that you are obedient children of God do not live as you did in the past. You did not understand, so you did the evil things you wanted.

Sarah obeyed Abraham, her husband, and called him her master. And you women are true children of Sarah if you always do what is right and are not afraid.

My dear children, I write this letter to you so you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have a helper in the presence of the Father—Jesus Christ, the One who does what is right.

I write to you, dear children, because your sins are forgiven through Christ.