Back to School
Perhaps you are like me; there are some things which never cease to amaze me. Sometimes I will hear well-meaning people say, “I want my kids to make their own decision about God, I don’t want to influence them to my faith. They should choose for themselves.”
There is no greater music to the Devil’s ears! This kind of statement is the equivalent of saying to the Devil, “My children are yours to do with as you please. I don’t care if I see them again in heaven.” This statement may sound harsh, but it is the spiritual reality affecting the lives of our kids each day.
Those of us with young children and grandchildren work hard to get them prepared and ready for school, and often closely monitor their learning. But do we approach their spiritual instruction with the same diligence and devotion? Like getting them ready for school, helping our kids grow in the things of God each day takes planning and work and intentionality.
Through Moses, God puts it this way:“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord you God with your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Like children, we all can become distracted by the many demands and pleasures of life. While many of these demands and pleasures seem good and worthwhile at the time, their importance is greatly diminished in the light of eternity.
How well manicured we kept our lawn, the kinds of cars and recreational equipment we acquired, the status we attained at work, etc. will only affect our eternity to the extent that they kept us from paying attention to the things that really matter, and the things for which God holds us accountable.
It is not only our responsibility to learn, but also to teach our children and grandchildren about God, about Jesus and His life, death, and resurrection for our sins, and to encourage them to make their lives a witness for Him.
If we try to delegate this responsibility to others, or neglect it altogether, we are being disobedient to God. He holds us accountable for the spiritual instruction of our children. Spiritual instruction is not the work of the church alone. It must start and be reinforced in the home.
With the help of the Holy Spirit, God’s Word, and the church to train us, thankfully, God gives us the resources and ability we need to do this. Through Christ, God’s forgiveness is available for the ways we fallen short in this area in the past.
Pray and ask for God’s wisdom and strength to be a part of instructing your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in Him. God is faithful and will supply your needs in this and all aspects of your life.
Your fellow traveler following Christ,
Pastor Tim
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