March 28

March 28

How to Raise Children -- Parents should obey the Word & teach the Word.

Today's Readings:

Reading 1: Deuteronomy 6:6-25

Reading 2: Deuteronomy 11

Reading 3: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Today we see the connection between God's Word and our relationship with Him. He is like a parent, who gives His Word to help his children obey Him and live according to His values and priorities. In this way, they are kept safe from the perils of sin and disobedience.

Those of us who are parents are to do the same - obey God's Word ourselves and teach our children to follow His instruction. There are blessings ahead of us if we do so, and droughts if we do not. The same is true for our children. In this way, God can ensure continuity of blessing through the generations. He described Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (in other words the God of each successive generation). God's Word is the means by which blessing flows from generation to generation. And it is the responsibility of each successive generation to keep the instructions given and to pass them on to their children.

Already Moses is speaking to Israelites who have not seen the mighty things God did from the Exodus to the Promised Land; those who do remember have a duty to pass on the record of God's faithfulness and power to those who come after them. Then those descendants will likewise follow God.

Every one of us is a child to someone, so God's instruction applies to us - read the Word and remember His goodness. And for those of us still raising children, we are to teach them to do the same. Many of us have done this, and now our children are adults. It is tempting to fret over whether they are following God's instructions, but that is to step into their boundaries. The most effective way to ensure our children follow God is to follow Him wholeheartedly ourselves (and to tell our children of His faithfulness as we do)!

Have a great day!

Mark.