God complimented Abraham by saying that He knew Abraham, and that he (Abraham) would command his children and his household after him the way of the Lord. We read Gods commendation in Jeremiah 35 of a family who, generations after his death, was still following their fathers instruction.

It will do no lasting good for us to agree together toward a certain action, if we do not teach and command it… especially an action with such generational effect as that of betrothal. What good committing ourselves to betrothal if we have not taught it (and the priciples behind it) to our children? Will they obey us?

And what price having a binding covenant if the elders of the church are not prepared to enforce it? If the first crying bride with distraught parents shakes their resolve; how then the rest of the church?