Teach the Children Well

Home school, private school, public school...

No matter which we choose, we all work to do our best to educate our children because we know it holds a critical influence over their future.

And outside of school, we have so much more to teach them: eating right, brushing teeth, correct manners, doing chores, getting along with people, and handling money. Every aspect of life requires some training!

It’s strange, then, when some parents decide not to teach their children anything about God. “We want them to be able to decide for themselves,” they say. But even the most lenient parent will teach a child to stay away from a hot stove or a busy road.

The problem might be that they don’t realize how critical a relationship with God is or have no idea how to teach their children how to have one.

But God’s Word, the Bible, shows us both. And it repeatedly stresses the importance of teaching God’s commands to our children.

Memorize his laws and tell them to your children over and over again. Talk about them all the time, whether you're at home or walking along the road or going to bed at night, or getting up in the morning.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (CEV)

We are called to “disciple” our children, a word related to discipline. This does not only mean punishment for wrongdoing. It has a broader meaning, like when we say we will learn a discipline or an athlete is disciplined. Discipling our children is a passionate, intentional undertaking that involves multiple strategies such as praying with and for them, listening to praise and worship music together, reading Scripture and learning together, adding spiritual topics to conversations, making church and kids’ programs such as camps a priority, and maintaining a godly atmosphere in the home.

Teaching and leading require sensitivity to the student’s level and wisdom to know how to encourage interest and inspire growth. We need the Lord’s guidance. As we ask God for insight and grow closer to him ourselves, we will model priceless lessons for our kids. It may seem like a massive task, but it is done in little daily steps. Ask the Lord which steps you should prioritize this school year.

PRAY

Lord, please help me get this right. Please show me how to help make my children your disciples. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Question(s): What’s your favorite way to learn about God?

Apply: As kids age, introduce them to age-appropriate resources such as study Bibles, Christian podcasts, and websites that can help strengthen their faith. For teens, check out the powerful “I Am Second” video interviews at iamsecond.com.

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help parents expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Ephesians 6:4

Proverbs 22:6

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Tonia Gutting wrote this devotional for the Hero Squad Program of the American Bible Society. Hero Squad provides complimentary faith-based resources to strengthen and encourage Military families through God’s Word. For more information or to enroll your Military family, check out our website.www.myherosquad.org.