"My observation is that it is certain that we can't have it both ways. In environments where the discipleship of children is outsourced to others in the church setting, I have never observed it to be the rule that fathers play their Biblical role of discipling them in the home. Never! Not once! I have observed dozens of churches, and I have not once observed a church where they have it both ways, nor do they even claim to.

This tells me that something intrinsic is in place which sets the formula in concrete: where discipleship is outsourced in the church, robust discipleship in the home is the exception and not the rule. Where the Biblical family roles are preserved in the church, robust discipleship in the home is the rule and not the exception.

We must not trust this anecdoctal evidence as the basis for our case - the Bible is plain enough on the subject and it alone must rule the day. But it does form a powerful illustration. It confirms that God knows best. May God be true and every man a liar."