I have been fortunate to have several great teachers in my life. I recall back even to third grade, to Mrs. Dunn. She was my math teacher. I loved her. We got to prance around the room singing multiplication songs set to music by records. I remember Mrs. Miller from eight grade. She made us memorize the entire list of the presidents (Wash, Ad, Jeff, Mad, Mon, Ad, Jack…), the Preamble, and a drawn-out definition of “history.” I could recount my days with in Mr. Gill in Physics, Miss Wood in Calculus, Miss Zourakis in Espanol.
But these have not been my only great teachers. I have had other spiritual “teachers” for whom I am just as grateful, if not more so. These were people who chose to invest in me; my youth pastor, an ex-NBA player who discipled me on his farm, a campus minister who loved me, seminary teachers and fellow students who listened to me. These individuals played key roles in developing me into the person I am today. My parents (especially my mom and step-dad) encouraged me in many of these opportunities.
But as I read today, I was challenged. In chapter 6, what the Jews refer to as the Shema appears. It is well known to many, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is One! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” The Hebrew word for “hear” is shema. But it continues, “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 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.” But there is more, “You shall blind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deut 6:4-9)
The major Scriptural teachers in my life were not my parents. The Bible was not an integral part of family life for us as I grew up. But what does Scripture say to this end? It should have been! We are called to teach diligently (which demands effort, intention, and determination) as we sit, walk, lie down, get up… i.e. all the time! Scripture is supposed to permeate our house, to the point that we write it on the walls and gates!
Scripture is clear that children are a blessing of the Lord, but with the blessing comes immense responsibility and we must not shy away from the discipleship mandate we have been called to. If you have children, does Scripture permeate your family life? If not, why not?
I know for me I have never had the example set to follow, and many of you might be in the same situation. Where do we start? I would challenge you; start somewhere. If you are reading through the Bible with us, pick a verse that stuck out during your reading and share it before dinner. Begin praying each night over and with your children or spouse. I know I have struggled to implement any lasting family devotional time, and I know that it will be hard for us to do. But I look forward though to a time when we are able to do so. For I know that if we can, my children will have that much easier a time doing the same when their time comes to lead a family. My prayer for my kids has always been and will continue to be that they would surpass their parents in faith, in deed, in passion, and in devotion.
Discipleship through the family is the primary way God has called us to pass on truth. It is not that other avenues are unprofitable. I am blessed to have those secondary mentors in my life. But that’s what they were supposed to be, only for me they ended up primary sources instead. I want to be different. I want to train up my children in the way they should. The question remains, “Do I want it bad enough that I will give it all it requires?” What about you?
The fact is, and will never change, it’s our responsibility and expectation… Pray that God would give us the grace to be who He calls us to be in our families.
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