Parenting Matters
But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. Psalm 103:17-18
Sitting around a table with several women can be a learning experience, especially when faith and our responsibility to future generations are the discussion topics.
One older woman spoke of their (her husband played a part) family discipline of devotions every day before school. Another spoke of her lack of discipline in teaching the Bible to her children. The first one has adult children following the Lord and the second does not.
As the time went on and the conversation progressed, I realized that there was more to this than daily devotions. The woman who confessed little discipline with devotions showed little evidence of faith in Christ, though she professes that faith. Her children’s exposure to the scripture came mostly through church attendance.
The obvious truth is that the family who had a high enough view of God and His Word to do devotions daily, also had the conviction that they were to live it out. They not only talked the talk, they walked the walk. Their children had the advantage of living examples of followers of Christ.
We hate it, and often leave the church of those who preach God’s Word but refuse to live it out. But, when we raise children in our homes where we say we love God and believe His word, but we fail to live like it, we want to be surprised that our children leave the church as adults.
God is clear about our responsibility to the next generation. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says, “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.”
This command leaves us with no time to ignore God’s Word. It should be a part of every aspect of our lives and be taught that way to our children. What a sobering responsibility!
We love to quote clever sayings that teach about God’s character. We say, “God enables whom He calls.” If He brings you to it, He will bring you through it.” “Don’t be afraid of tomorrow, God is already there.”
All of these are true about parenting. When we faithfully work at raising our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord as He commands us to, He will be faithful to use our efforts to glorify Himself in the faith of our children. It may not happen as quickly, or with the same results we hope for, but we can trust His faithfulness. He will do the work in them as He will.
Our parental responsibility to the next generation is a regular topic in God’s Word. We are to be living examples as well as intentional teachers.
Are you and I just talking the talk – or are we walking the walk?
Parenting matters.