Educated to Be Wise
Today I was in the city of Reading and walked by one of the Junior High Schools. I was pleasantly surprised to see out in front of the school a sign that said, “A child who is educated only at school is an uneducated child.” Wow! That is so true, I just didn’t think a school would ever admit it. Though I recognize that teachers have not asked for nor are they even capable of teaching everything that the government wants included as a part of the curriculum these days, it’s still a very clear statement of truth placed where parents can read it.
The responsibility of a parent to relay the teaching of God and about God is very clear in the scriptures. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 says, “The LORD 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. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, 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. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
We are to teach these truths to our children “diligently.” They are to be a part of everything we do in a day. Webster’s definition of diligent includes being careful and persevering. We’re not to tire of it and we’re to be careful to give our children the whole truth. None of us should be shrinking from teaching the whole counsel of God to our children (Acts 20:27). This is where the challenge comes in. Children hear our words and the words of those who teach them in school and Sunday School but a wise friend once warned me that with children there’s a lot more “caught than taught.” That leaves a huge responsibility on the behavior of parents – because we’re the ones they catch it from.
If we take our children to church every week and help them memorize scriptures for Sunday School but when they want to skip school to complete an assignment and we write the note, what have we taught them about how seriously to take God’s Word? See Colossians 3:9.
If we go to a local restaurant and berate the waitress because she’s slow or tell off the cashier for making a mistake with our money, what have we taught them about the love and compassion of Christ? See Colossians 3:12.
If we allow a family argument to become a never-ending battle, we refuse to forgive and repeatedly spout off about the problem at the dinner table, what have we taught our children about God’s forgiveness? See Matthew 6:14.
If a child asks if we tithe to the church and we tell them there isn’t enough money in the budget to tithe, what have we taught that child about the faithfulness of God and His ability to keep His promises? See Malachi 3:11.
If we take them to church every week until they make the “travel team” but they play on Sundays meaning that church becomes an obstacle to their athletic success so we skip when they have a game. What lesson does the child learn about the position of God on the priority list? See Exodus 20:3.
By now, you get my point.
Our behavior speaks a lot louder than our words to those we’re to be teaching about the Lord and life when they’re at home. The public school has definitely gotten this one right, though I’m sure whoever put that sign up wasn’t thinking along these lines! If we don’t educate our children in the love, justice, and faithfulness of the Lord, no one else will. They will be uneducated in the most important portion of their lives.
The schools may be able to teach reading, writing and arithmetic but it is only at home, from the parent who loves the Lord and their children, that they will gain real wisdom as described in the Bible. They may get a job based on academic skills – but according to Proverbs 3:19 – 26 they will gain life, security, peace, and real rest from godly wisdom.
The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, do not lose sight of these– keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
Do you and I want wise, secure, confident children and grandchildren? Teach them by word and deed.