In a world where more and more people shuffle their responsibility to someone else, it is not shocking to see parents also appointing their God-given responsibility to others. The foster care programs are stretched to their max all over the United States, and in other countries, children are left to be homeless. We live in a world where children are not taught the basics of respect, honor, and faith in God. As a parent, it is our responsibility to teach them the Bible. It is not to be left to the church, grandparents, or Christian schools. They all can play a role in teaching them, but it is primarily the parent’s responsibility. Churches, schools, and relatives are to be aids to the family, not the primary source.
In Deuteronomy, 11:18-20 parents are instructed to always teach their children. In verse 18, we are to teach them God’s word. The best way to teach them is by our own example. They need to see us reading our Bible. It should be the habit of a godly parent to spend time with God every day. It shows them what is most important to us when it comes first in our day. Not only do we need to read and pray every day, but we also need to do it with them. We need to pray with them as they head out the door to school and before you leave the house for daycare. Teach them as a toddler to bow their head and talk to God and be respectful while others are praying. Children will mimic what they see more than what you tell them.
In Deuteronomy 18-20 we see a command, not a suggestion, that we teach them at all times. God’s word is to be held and thought about in our hearts and in our minds. When God’s word is stored in our hearts and minds it is readily available throughout the day. He speaks of our eyes being fixed on the word of God, as a sign upon our hand, and of it being on our doorpost. In other words, it is ever before us. I have verses framed and hanging in my home even though my children are grown, they are good reminders for me. It also makes a statement to all who enter my home of the importance of God’s word to us.
Deuteronomy 11:18-20 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:
When we study God’s word daily it is a weapon against Satan that is always available. It is comfort when things go wrong and praise when things go right. God’s word will keep us from sin when we hide it in our hearts, as the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 119:11. We must teach our children God’s word if they are going to be successful godly adults. When we do not teach them daily, we are doing a disservice to them. We are sending them out into the world without a weapon. We are cheating our own children out of peace and comfort only He can give them. We are denying them the blessings that come from always feeling His presence.
Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
Another area in which many parents fail to obey God is by not following what their pastor preaches from God’s word. If he encourages us to do something we should do it. Many pick and choose what they will obey, and by doing so they are teaching their children to disrespect authority, an authority that one day they may need to help them to understand God’s plan for their life. If your pastor is not teaching biblical truths, you need to find another church that is teaching the Bible.
God has given parents the primary responsibility of teaching and training their children about Him and for His service. It does not matter what jobs they have in life they are to first be God’s servant. They are to speak up when things are wrong, but most of all they are to be a witness for Him to a lost world. The way you live your life before them speaks volumes to their future. It is your responsibility to train them to be able to live a successful Christian life. Their future and your grandchildren’s future depend on your obedience to the word.
We are always teaching in everything we do. Eyes are watching and ears are listening. We need to teach them how to live out God’s word in their everyday lives. We can see God’s hand in creation and in situations throughout the day that we can bring into our conversations with our children. We put so much importance on the things of the world that we muddy the waters of things that have eternal value. Think about it, one day we will stand before God and give an account of our life. Will He say well done in the area of parenting, or will you be ashamed because He was not first in every area? We all fail in some areas and once our children are grown, they have a will of their own. But it is our responsibility to give our children the greatest preparation possible to live a successful Christian life for God’s glory.
