These commandments I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
Today’s passage comes from a passage known to the Hebrew people as the Shema. Every morning and every evening for thousands of years, orthodox Jews have recited these verses as a remembrance of God’s laws to the Israelites. To continue today’s study, look up in your Bible the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy and read verses 8 – 9. Notice the specific ways God instructed His people to remember His direction and provision in their lives.
As children develop we naturally teach them about things that will benefit them or harm them. Looking both ways before crossing the street, playing nice with others, respecting your elders, not touching a hot stove, not running with scissors or not petting a strange dog are just a few examples. God has told us for generations that it is also, just as important to teach our children His guidelines for living.
As parents, we know and learn that we truly set our children up for blessings when we teach them to live as followers of Christ. When we make this a part of our daily routine – at breakfast and bedtime, when we are on our way to school or practice and when we are simply spending time together as a family – we honor Him and serve our children well. What we do with the instruction of our children is as important as what we do with our heads and our hands. Our homes are to literally demonstrate God’s presence in our lives.
This week, pick one area of the Shema to practice in your life with your family. Gather for prayer at breakfast or begin a family devotional at bedtime. Pray and thank God for His provisions and ask for His direction as you drive. Turn off the television for an hour and share with your children what God is doing in your life. Ask God to help you lead your family well this week.
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Mon, June 22, 2009
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