Ye Parents, Hear What Jesus Taught
Ye parents, hear what Jesus taught
The hymn reflects Lutheran understanding of the family as a divinely ordained creation and the role of parents as instruments of God's will in Christian nurture and education. It combines Law (parental duty) with Gospel (Christ's blessing and love for children).
History & Background
Originally composed in German as a teaching hymn on Christ's words regarding children and parental responsibility. Translated into English by August Crull in 1927 and included in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) as hymn 630.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 473
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 630
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by German pastor Heinrich Elvenich in 1860, this hymn roots the parental vocation in Christ's explicit affirmation of children, grounding domestic Christian education in Gospel grace rather than duty alone.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the parental duty into Gospel joy: parents are called to their God-ordained work not by demand alone, but by Christ's own blessing and validation of the child—making Law and Gospel inseparable in the Christian home.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Fourth Commandment Small Catechism — Ten Commandments
Themes
Christian parenting Blessing of children Christ's love for children Family instruction