Passing the Torch

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NASB95
“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! [5] You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. [6] These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. [7] You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. [8] You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. [9] You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Devotional Thought: This ancient admonition clearly establishes two priorities in the life of Believers with children. The first priority is to love God, and the second is to pass that passion for God down to our children. This is the most important challenge that faces the community of faith.  Back in the time when this challenge was issued to the nation of Israel, the children were educated within the context of the family. A short time later the Hebrew male children were sent to the local synagogue for education and said education had one priority--that the children would know God's Word.

In the post-modern era, the priority of education is not God-centric. That is true of all public education; but, even in private Christian schools and in our home schools, we would be hard-pressed to say that the reason for education is to nurture a greater love for God. Most parents would agree that Math, English, Science and Reading are all essential skills, but they have now become the priority of education. It is a subtle switch; but it is a profound departure from the Deuteronomy command. In early American history, the reason children were taught to read is so that they could read and understand the Bible. (The end game was not learning to read--it was learning to read the Bible)

If passing our faith down to our children is to remain a high priority, we will need to start considering making it the visible priority in all practical areas of life. The question is "where do we begin?" Start with some "easy to do things" such as read the Bible together as a family at the dinner table. Also, pray as a family--not long prayer meetings, but praying on all occasions when a need arises that requires prayer. Put visible signs of your faith everywhere and play music that is glorifying God. Lastly, talk about God with your children whenever you get the chance.

Questions to Consider:

1. In the raising of children in a Believer’s home, what would “success” look like to you?
2. How would you go about injecting a greater awareness of God in your home environment?
3. How can you add more “faith-centric” teaching into your children’s educational process?

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