The Lord WARNED the children of Israel, “Be careful, so your heart will not be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them…FIX (“I have HIDDEN YOUR WORD in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psa. 119:11)) THESE WORDS of mine in your hearts and minds…TEACH THEM to your children, TALKING ABOUT THEM when you SIT AT HOME and when you WALK along the road, when you LIE DOWN and when you GET UP.” (Deut. 11:16-19) God warned the parents to DILIGENTLY TEACH the word of God to their children, how are we doing with that? Here’s the problem according to George Barna only about 5% of us are regularly and very seriously studying the Bible.
While most of us enjoy teaching toddlers fun Bible stories, we can’t stop there. Early childhood materials may emphasize how “Jesus is your friend.” Warm good feelings build affection for Jesus, but they don’t build the foundation for spiritual wisdom. Awe, wonder and respectful fear of God must lay that groundwork.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Prov. 22:6) The word reminds us, “…take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And TEACH THEM TO YOUR CHILDREN and your grandchildren…” (Deut. 4:9) What about the younger children? “Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children COME TO ME, and DO NOT FORBID THEM; for OF SUCH is the kingdom of heaven.” And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.” (Matt. 19:13-15)
WE MUST DILIGENTLY AND LOVINGLY TEACH THE SCRIPTURE TO OUR CHILDREN BECAUSE IT IS “…LIVING and POWERFUL, and sharper than any two-edged sword…and it is a discerner (To recognize or understand) of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12)
-Bill Stockham