THE IMPORTANCE OF OBEDIENCE IN TEACHING OUR CHILDREN-
WE CAN DO THIS
Author Deborah Negron
Bible Basis: Deuteronomy 6
Deuteronomy 6:4
“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one [the only God]!
When do we speak to our children about the Lord. For some, it is at bedtime, for bedtime prayers.
For others it is only on Sunday mornings where a Sunday School teacher imparts some knowledge of God’s word.
Still for others, the t h ought of this seems like someth I ng the church is supposed to do.
We are sure to give them bread and material things. We may buy the best vitamins, feed them the best meals. We may even take time to
Make sure they Andrew well rounded. Assuring they have activities that include sports, music instruction, etc.
We may be the kind of parent that runs from one activity to the next. Perhaps making sure the hey have every possible enlightening experience. You may buy the hey hem the best clothes. Making sure they lack for nothing may be our main objective.
Perhaps we even rush from one place to another to have them meet their favorite artist or to have them enjoy experiences that can influence their growth and development.
We may pat ourselves on the back for perhaps placing them in the nest schools. Or perhaps homeschooling them in order to afford them the best possible opportunities.
What ever may be your position, we all want the best for our children. Fun, excitement, constant sctivity, making sure there is never a dull moment.
Well, all these things may be useful and may help them in some respects. But what of their spiritual life?
What about their faith in God?
What of our responsability to teach them obey the Lord’s word? What of their learning and seeking their purpose in God’s grand plan for them.
You see, Proverbs 22:6 tells us,
Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Yes, we seek to do the most for nor children. But how much of God’s word do they know?
The Lord instructed the children of Israel to take specific time to teach their children the commandments of the Torah.
They were to tell them stories of their captivity in Egypt and how Jehovah God, had delivered them from the hand of Pharoah.
They were to teach their children about the faithfulness of God. The Shemah prayer was one that was repeated throughout their day. In the morning when they rose up, at mealtimes and also throughout their everyday life.
I wonder, how many of us really mention our commitment to God throughout our time with our kids?
How often do we, after or during a meal, share God’s goodness in conversation with our families, or how many sit to count our blessings?
Truth be told. It must be a part of our decision to serve Christ.
It must be part of out commitment to raise children that not only, attend church, but tater reach a place where they can make an informed decision as to who God is.
There are wonderful children devotionals arevailable to parents. There are children’s Bibles and books that can help in this, our greatest role in life, TEACHING OUR CHILDREN TO LOVE GOD.
I meet countless parents who have said to me, I don’t know what happened to my child, my son, my daughter. I used Tom take them to church. Now they don’t want to come.
The thing is, routines, traditions and customs don’t impart godly wisdom. The only things that helps our faith to grow is God’s Word. They may be reluctant to hear. They may seem to look like they do not care. Or if they are little we can start with the Stories of the Old Testament. You know, Adam and Eve, Creation, Noah, Abraham and Danil in the Lion’ Den. Or the story of David and Golaiath and Joseph and the coat of many colors. The story of the birth of Jesus and the miracles of Jesus. The talk about having Jesus come in to their heart and be their Saviour
As they grow little by little having a daily devotion. Prayer that is short and concise when they are small or in a routine to go to school. Then prayer at meal time and bedtime with Bible stories. Creating this habit, this routine will create in them a mental map. A line in their history.
God promises in his word that God’s word does not return void. It is that two edged Sword. It imparts wisdom at just the right times. Even if our kids walk away from the Lord. God’s word is se through the Holy Spirit, to be brought back to their memory.
I had strayed from the faith when I was younger. I had become withdrawn and walked away from the God of my parents. But in the toughest times of my life, The Word of God was what God’s Spirit used. The Word in my memory was pulled up by the Holy Spirit. it was brought to my memory. I remembered,..
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
I remembered that the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life. Romans 6:23
I remembered Psalm 23… and countless other scriptures. The Lord reminded me of his mercy and love toward me. God’s Love Story, the one in His word was what the Lord used to draw me back to his love.
How can we expect our children to trust in the unseen God when we have not taught them to read and learn His word?
How can they hear, unless they are instructed.
I’m not pointing fingers. I am not condemning any one. What I am saying is that if you have not done it yet. You can start today.
On the contrary. I want to sound sound the alarm.
It’s not too late. A family devotional time can start today. A time of turning off the electronics, the cell phones and just sitting and reading God’s Word is possible.
Watching Christian animated bible stories is is a simple half hour. Then talking about them together is a fun way today do it.
Teaching them the stories of Creation, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The story of how God changed Jacob’s name to Israel… Then the story of Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon,
Read the Psalms.
Then the Gospels Mathew, Mark, Luke and John. These tell of the stories of Jesús life and his miracles.
These are the principle topics of our faith in Jesus. Then read the stories of Paul the apostle in the book of Acts.
I pray this helps us have a starting point. We can do this and learn ourselves along the way. #WalkingTogetherThisFaithWalk
Another is to take the Psalms, one by one and explain them, ask them what they think of their meaning. Provoke them to think, read, reason in fun ways. Have them consider how God loves us so much, He has given us His Word.
We can do this. Let’s grow our faith and our children’s faith as well.
There are countless resources,
Free resources for children children of intergrity
http://www.kidsofintegrity.com
The 25 verses your YOUTH should know.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/25-scripture-verses-every-teen-should-memorize.html%3Famp%3D1&ved=2ahUKEwjdjJea1NDcAhUknuAKHUfFCC4QFjAIegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw24UHn7WQsH5xBBJjoeqP78&cf=1
The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com/
Life and Faith By Deb 
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