"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." -Dt 6:4-7
Deuteronomy was the last book written by Moses before handing over the torch over to Joshua. Therefore this passage was written right before the children of Israel crossed into the promised land. Some have referred to it as Moses' "upper desert discourse" because they are his last words to his followers before dying. Moses left behind a legacy by being obedient to God and delivering his people from Pharaoh, by leading them through the wilderness for 40 years, and by giving them God's law and direction for their lives. One of the best pieces of counsel for parents and leaders is found at the beginning of this chapter. In order for parents to properly lead and train their children in the way they should go they must first love the Lord God with all their heart, soul, and strength. If your faith is not genuine don't expect it to be with our children. If you don't love Jesus with all your heart neither will your children. If your walk with the Lord is warm then your children's walk will not be any hotter than yours. God calls godly parents to raise up godly children not lukewarm moral sinners. You cannot expect your children to have an intimate relationship with Jesus if you have a long distance one with him now.
Secondly we must store God's word in our hearts if we are to be able to properly teach them to our children or grandchildren if yours have already left the nest. Thirdly Moses' words in verse 7 are not a religious formula on how to make the next Apostle Paul or Phoebe but these words speak of a lifestyle, spurring forth from a heartfelt relationship with the Lord. Notice Moses explains what it means to teach your children diligently; it means to do it in your everyday conversations. May Sunday not be the only day you talk about Jesus and His word to your children. Moses' point here is that discipleship and training up children should be part of our everyday life as God's people. It should be something done throughout the day and not merely in the morning and at bedtime, but during our meals and so on.
Every child and teenager must make their own decision for Christ, but understand this at the end of the day what your children are looking for is genuineness, and if you love the Lord authentically so will they.
Secondly we must store God's word in our hearts if we are to be able to properly teach them to our children or grandchildren if yours have already left the nest. Thirdly Moses' words in verse 7 are not a religious formula on how to make the next Apostle Paul or Phoebe but these words speak of a lifestyle, spurring forth from a heartfelt relationship with the Lord. Notice Moses explains what it means to teach your children diligently; it means to do it in your everyday conversations. May Sunday not be the only day you talk about Jesus and His word to your children. Moses' point here is that discipleship and training up children should be part of our everyday life as God's people. It should be something done throughout the day and not merely in the morning and at bedtime, but during our meals and so on.
Every child and teenager must make their own decision for Christ, but understand this at the end of the day what your children are looking for is genuineness, and if you love the Lord authentically so will they.
- HOW MUCH INTENTIONAL TIME DO YOU SPEND WITH YOUR CHILD TALKING ABOUT GOD? EXAMINE YOURSELF ARE YOU THE SAME PERSON AT CHURCH AS YOU ARE IN THE HOME BEFORE YOUR CHILDREN? WILL YOUR WALK TODAY HELP THEM OR HINDER THEM?