Teach Your Children

In Luke 2:52 we learn that in his  formative years "Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and with man."  That ought to be the goals you have in your family for each of your children, that you help them have balanced growth -- mental, physical, spiritual and social.  The job description for a Godly parent is described in Deuteronomy 6:7 "You must teach these commandments to your children and talk about them when you are at home or out for a walk, at bedtime and the first thing in the morning." 

This says four important things:

         "You"… -- this is not talking about the government, a preschool, a grade school, a private school, some club, even the church.  It's talking about you if you're a parent.  You are primarily responsible to prepare your kids for life, not some preschool or anybody else.

         " You must…" -- this is not optional.  It's not, "if you have time for it you must do these things" or "It's ok whether you do them or not."  It says "You must..."  It's not optional.

         "You must teach..."  Parents are teaching all the time whether they realize it or not.  If your kids are around you, you're teaching them sometimes intentionally, sometimes unintentionally.  They're watching every move.  You're modeling, exampling, showing how to live.  You are constantly teaching. The only question is, "What are you teaching?" 

         "You must teach these commandments…"  They are commandments, not suggestions.  God didn't give us ten suggestions.  He said these are commandments you are to do.  As parents there are three areas we especially have to be concerned with in raising kids, helping prepare them for life. If you get anything taught, you've got to get these three down. We will look at these over the rest of the week.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle